because He has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as He promised through His holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—the covenant He swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
We read the Christmas Story in Luke, Chapter 1 but the whole story of Christmas is near the end of the chapter — 68-79 a section called Zechariah's Prophesy or Zechariah's Song. Zecahriah is speaking to his little boy, John...and to us. He is praising the reason Jesus came and why we truly celebrate his brith.
All the lights, the gifts, the songs, the food, the family gatherings are great but if this Christmas you had none of these things - there is still much reason to rejoice, for there is much love for you and others - even those who are hard to love.
Here in this passage God says salvation is for everyone — the homeless man walking down the street, the man who cuts you off on the highway, the women and men who come to your house to sell you their religion, the children who leave and won't speak to you, the people at work who drive you crazy, the unbelievers who scoff at you, the friend who gossips about you, the Haitian, the Afghanistan, everyone! This is Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you!
