In contrast to his initial response (disbelief) when the angel first told him he would have a son, and also in contrast to the responses of his relatives and friends (awkward discomfort, surprise and fear), Zechariah now wastes no time giving an appropriate response (worship) to God for what He has done in giving this special baby to him and his wife – and to the world.
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. (Luke 1:68-80)
This Christmas season, may the Lord open your eyes to the reality of His work in your life – and may you respond to Him appropriately with worship.
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