This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.
From ancient times the Church has recited Zechariah's canticle daily during Lauds; that is, our Morning Prayer. Just as...
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
so the Church sings the Benedictus as the dawn breaks upon us and the day begins. It is a song of anticipatory joy. Here is the light! Here is our knowledge of salvation and the forgiveness of our sins. Here is our worthiness to worship God without fear, holy and righteous in his sight.
We know just as surely as Zechariah knew that we have not earned this worthiness. It's not for our hard work or careful observance of all the statutes, commandments, ordinances, decrees, and laws of the LORD. As the psalmist said, "...no one is just in your sight!" The old priest knew Jerusalem's wretchedness as well as anyone, and he knew the sad history of Israel. Unlike historians of other nations who must flatter their readership, Jewish scholars recorded their history of sin. That honest penance and the gift of the Savior are their greatest gifts to Christianity.
Zechariah rejoiced as the sun rose on a new day in human history. He sang of the gift, unearned and undeserved, which the LORD gives to his elect.
This realization, this awareness, is there for anyone to see. Even the iconic Santa Claus, whose name reminds many of Saint Nicholas, represents God's prodigal liberality. Rarely does he give a lump of coal to the undeserving. Rather, he bestows upon children, who are guilty of their own and their ancestors' sins, free and wonderful gifts. Like the jolly old elf, the LORD blesses us for his own purpose, perhaps because he enjoys our delight as much as parents enjoy the happy faces of children on Christmas morning. He does it to show his goodness and merciful kindness.
In the quiet of this expectant Saturday, we do well to ponder and appreciate the freedom to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight. This also is God's gift to a people inclined to violence, whose readiest solutions and first impulses are often destructive and counterproductive. That insight alone may be the dawn of our salvation.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.