Zechariah had waited and hoped for a child for many years until he and his wife, Elizabeth, probably gave up. As a result, when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in the temple and told him of the good news of him having a son, Zechariah doubted and was subsequently made mute by the angel until his son is born. When the baby John was born, Zechariah’s mouth was opened and, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to prophetically declare the words in our passage today. Notice that Zechariah makes much of Christ in his prophecy here and revels in the fact that his son will be a forerunner for the Saviour. His delight was not just that he had son but much more what his son would do – prepare the way for the Messiah. As a result, he blessed the Lord.

Zechariah’s reasons for blessing the Lord have to do with His visitation and redemption of His people. He goes on throughout this lengthy passage highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy and the effect of the Saviour’s coming. We , too, must make much of Christ this Christmas. We must remember that God visited us and redeemed us, and as a result, we should bless His name and praise Him. Let us not go around this Christmas season as though something significant is not at the fore but rather let us take time to remember that God became man and was born as a baby so that we may be saved from our enemies – sin, flesh, and the devil. Let us, like Zechariah, bless the Lord.

1. What have you planned for Christmas? Does any of your plans involve blessing the Lord?

2. How will today’s devotion influence your Christmas activities?