And hath raised up an Horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David. Luke 1:69
A large wicker basket lay in the middle of our dining room table. The basket contained several blankets, and in the middle of the blankets was a newborn baby, my younger brother. My father stood beside the basket, looking down at the sleeping baby. Then, lifting up his powerful voice, he loudly proclaimed what the name of that baby was to be. I still remember that… the naming of that baby was a significant event in our family. So too was the naming of John, who would grow up to become the Baptist, as his father delivered a significant sermon, after he got his voice back. But Zacharias was more occupied with the One of whom his son would speak than he was about John. And so should we all!
After so many barren years, Zacharias and Elisabeth were thrilled to be parents. They were even more thrilled to know that theirs was to be a special son, one who would have a unique role in fulfillment of prophecy and would have a tremendous impact on his day. Zacharias had the discernment to see that, despite all the wonder of his own son, a Greater was on the horizon. He acknowledged the coming of the Horn of Salvation.
This is the time of year when all sorts of wonderful and exciting events happen. As families and friends get together for the holidays, if allowed, one of the biggest activities is the sharing of news. What are the biggest events in your life this year? How exciting have some of those events been? And can any of them compare with God’s greatest of all news, the sending of His Son into this world to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself? No message or news is more important at this time of the year or any other than the Gospel.
Zacharias could celebrate a wonderful event in his family. He could also see beyond his own little circle, and appreciate the Horn of Salvation. Do we appreciate the same as we celebrate and rejoice today? -Jim MacIntosh