Zacharias was an elderly priest in Israel. While performing his priestly duties in the temple, the angel Gabriel announced unto him that his wife, Elisabeth (also, elderly), would give birth to a son. Because of his unbelief, Zacharias was dumb and unable to speak until the day the child was born. This child through his ministry became known as John the Baptist (Luke 9:19).
When John was born, God restored Zacharias’ speech and he immediately offered praise to God focusing on the promised deliverance of His people, Israel. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:68-69). God had promised David a descendant that would reign over the people of God (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The angel Gabriel speaking of Jesus to Mary confirmed this promise. “He shall be great…and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever” (Luke 1:32-33).
Zacharias’ praise also acknowledged this promised deliverance was in keeping with the “oath which he [God] swear to our father Abraham” (Luke 1:73). God had promised Abraham “I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing…and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:2-3). The angel of the Lord who appeared to the shepherds repeated this promised blessing in Christ. “And the angel said unto them, fear not: for I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10; emphasis added).
John the Baptist had the great privilege of preparing the people for the arrival of this very special Person, Jesus Christ. Zacharias declared of John “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins through the tender mercy of our God” (Luke 1:76-78).
John’s ministry prepared the people to receive the Messiah by leading them to repentance. John said of himself “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah” (John 1:23). The Apostle Paul confirmed this testimony of John declaring “John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus” (Acts 19:4).
The redemption of which Zacharias spoke was to be provided by the Messiah, Jesus. He was so named by command of the angel “for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Christ came to save sinners and salvation begins with repentance from sin. This message of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” was central to the message of Paul (Acts 20:21). Look beyond the manger to the cross; repent of your sins and trust Christ. This is the message of Christmas.
From the Chaplain 