Today’s Reading: Luke 2:13-14; 1 Chronicles 16:23-27; Psalm 150:1-6; Revelation 19:6-10 Here, we see another task performed by the host of angels – which, by the way, refers to an army of angels. This task? Worship. Even though they came and showed the glory of the Lord, even though they minister to us, even though they fight, and even though they serve, a primary task of theirs is worship and pra...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 2:11-12; Psalm 119:14-16; Isaiah 55:6-11; Romans 11:33-36 This is likely the most well-known Christmas passage. The announcement and sign of the birth of the Savior. As we’ve already discussed, this was the most unlikely way that a Man of such importance could have been born and announced. Think about it, the announcement came to a random group of shepherds in the middle of t...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 2:10; Psalm 90:14-17; Isaiah 61:1-3; Titus 2:11-14 I love that all throughout the Scriptures when an angel appears, their first words are “do not fear” or “fear not.” In yesterday's passage, we saw that the shepherds were filled with great fear, and here we see that the angels were bringing a message – another task of the angel, a messenger – of good news. This good news was ...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 2:8-9; Joshua 24:14-18; Psalm 147:7-11; Hebrews 13:20-21 As we learned a couple of Sunday’s ago, one of the many roles of the angels is service. Here, they had a specific purpose in the arrival of the Son. They appeared to the shepherds to announce the arrival of the Savior of the World. That was their task, that was their purpose. When the Lord directs us for a purpose or a ...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:78-79; Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 119:145-148; John 1:1-13 This line from Zechariah’s song is really a great picture of the coming of Christ. Just like the sunrise in the morning, it slowly and quietly arrives, just like Jesus quietly arrived in the form of a humble baby. But this also speaks to God ushering in light (goodness) into a world of darkness (sin and worldliness). We c...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:77-78; Psalm 103:8-14; Isaiah 49:13-15; Titus 3:3-7 This idea from Zechariah’s song of “tender mercy” has been described by some as a deep feeling of love from God towards us. This implies that this message of salvation that John was called to share was that of deep love and affection from God – the Creator of the universe! The greatest truth here though is that he loves us...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:76; Deuteronomy 4:5-9; Psalm 139:13-16; 2 Timothy 1:5-14 John’s ministry from before he was born was to be a prophet of God and to the prepare the way for the Savior. Also noteworthy is that Zechariah and Elizabeth knew this was his purpose. So, what did they do? They had to raise him with this purpose in mind. How we raise our children is an essential part of our ministry....  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:74-75; Psalm 100:1-5; Micah 6:6-8; 1 John 4:16-21 This set of verses from Zechariah’s song remind us that we are saved for a purpose. One of those purposes is to serve. Another is that we are saved to worship, then finally, we are saved to love. Zechariah’s song here reminds us that we are free to do these things without fear. God has set us free, in Christ! Each moment of ...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:72-73; Psalm 105:7-11; Isaiah 43:1-3; Hebrews 3:1-6 Zechariah’s song takes us back to the Old Testament promises. All the names in Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story remind us of the character of God. Elizabeth means “the oath of God,” which draws us back to God’s promises through Abraham and the Prophets. Zechariah means “God remembers,” which also calls back to His covenant ...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:71; Psalm 40:9-10; Isaiah 33:1-6 1; Thessalonians 5:5-11 Saved. A lovely “Christian” word. To be saved is to be rescued, delivered, or spared of some sort of danger or distress. Or at least that’s how most of us understand the concept of being saved. Once one becomes a Christian, he or she is saved from sin, death, and Satan. No longer will these things have dominion over y...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:69-70; Exodus 15:6-12; Psalm 66:1-7; Hebrews 2:14-18 Zechariah speaks of the horn of salvation in his description of the Lord Jesus. Many people picture Jesus – in the context of the Christmas story – as a baby in a manger. Yes, He did come into this world as baby, we must not forget that He will rise and defeat sin through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. He w...  Read More

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:67-68; Psalm 106:1-12; Jeremiah 15:15-20; 2 Peter 3:8-13 We now shift our attention to the Benedictus, Zechariah’s Song. When Zechariah’s voice was restored, it resulted in praise. Here, we see that Zechariah’s mode of praise was focused on the visitation and redemption of God’s people. He trusted the message of the Angel. He trusted in what he already knew from the Scriptu...  Read More