Dawn of Hope
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:68-79
The rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.
John the Baptist pointed the way to Jesus. When John was an adult, he told people about Jesus and the salvation that Jesus would bring for them. When John was just a baby, his father Zechariah sang a song of praise to God. Zechariah sang because knew that when John grew up, John would point the way to Jesus. Zechariah was thankful for God’s gift of salvation in Jesus.
Zechariah’s song of praise is recorded in our Scripture reading for today. Zechariah sings of the God who fulfills his promises. Jesus had not even been born yet when Zechariah sang, but Zechariah was sure of the promises of God. He sang praise to God already for the saving work God would do in Jesus.
As in other places in the Bible, this song compares salvation to a light shining in the darkness. After the long night of sin, Zechariah rejoiced that the morning dawn of forgiveness and salvation had come in Jesus.
Our suffering and sin sometimes seem like a night that will never end, but Jesus is like the rising sun that comes in the morning and drives out the darkness. Our lives now are lived in the light of his love. Because of that wonderful hope, the light of Christ can “guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Lord, we praise you for the light of Christ that has come into the world. By his light, guide our feet into the path of peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Rebecca Jordan Heys
Rebecca Jordan Heys serves as a pastor at Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She and her husband, Kyle, are the parents of two children.
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