Zechariah's Song (2 of 4)
Series: The Original Christmas Playlist
Jonathan McLeod
Luke 1:67-79
''Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David'' (vv. 68-69).
LEAVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
People like to go home for Christmas. Many popular Christmas songs talking about going home for Christmas. ''I'll Be Home for Christmas'' was originally written to honour soldiers who longed to be home at Christmastime. The BBC actually banned the song in the UK because they feared that the lyrics might lower morale among British troops.
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
But Christmas is really about leaving home. That's what Jesus did. Jesus left home for Christmas. He came to this world to visit us. Jesus traded his throne in heaven for a manger in Bethlehem. He exchanged the praise of angels for the mocking of his enemies. He gave up the glory of heaven for the suffering and shame of the cross.
THE BIRTH OF JOHN FORETOLD
Zechariah is a priest, married to a woman named Elizabeth (v. 5). They have no children. Elizabeth is ''barren'' and both she and Zechariah are ''advanced in years'' (v. 6). As Zechariah is serving in the temple, the angel Gabriel appears to him. He announces to Zechariah, ''Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you shall call his name John'' (v. 13). He will prepare people for the coming of the Christ (v. 17).
Zechariah doesn't believe the angel's news. It's just too amazing to be true. He says, ''I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years'' (v. 18). The angel tells him, ''You will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time'' (v. 20). [Read Luke 1:57-80.]
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Series: The Original Christmas Playlist
Jonathan McLeod
Luke 1:67-79
''Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David'' (vv. 68-69).
LEAVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
People like to go home for Christmas. Many popular Christmas songs talking about going home for Christmas. ''I'll Be Home for Christmas'' was originally written to honour soldiers who longed to be home at Christmastime. The BBC actually banned the song in the UK because they feared that the lyrics might lower morale among British troops.
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
But Christmas is really about leaving home. That's what Jesus did. Jesus left home for Christmas. He came to this world to visit us. Jesus traded his throne in heaven for a manger in Bethlehem. He exchanged the praise of angels for the mocking of his enemies. He gave up the glory of heaven for the suffering and shame of the cross.
THE BIRTH OF JOHN FORETOLD
Zechariah is a priest, married to a woman named Elizabeth (v. 5). They have no children. Elizabeth is ''barren'' and both she and Zechariah are ''advanced in years'' (v. 6). As Zechariah is serving in the temple, the angel Gabriel appears to him. He announces to Zechariah, ''Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you shall call his name John'' (v. 13). He will prepare people for the coming of the Christ (v. 17).
Zechariah doesn't believe the angel's news. It's just too amazing to be true. He says, ''I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years'' (v. 18). The angel tells him, ''You will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time'' (v. 20). [Read Luke 1:57-80.]
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