Short and Brief Daily Devotional for Our Day

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2022

TEXT: Luke 1:67-80

67. Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

68. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.

69. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,

70. as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

71. that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.

72. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant,

73. the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us

74. that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

75. in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

77. to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.

78. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,

79. to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

(New Revised Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: LET’S BEGIN CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS WITH THE ZECHARIAHS

It is exciting to see a man as old as Zechariah singing a song of praise to the Lord of His goodness.

Today, some people think that they are too old to openly demonstrate their gratitude to the Lord their maker through their singing. Zechariah was inspired by the Holy Spirit to sing this prophetic song (v. 67) which was also historic and futuristic.

It was historic in the sense that Zechariah was included the historic salvation of Israel and reflected the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. And the futuristic part of the song is clearly about his own son, John the Baptist, and Jesus Christ whom John came to testify.

As we plan to celebrate Christmas, we should be filled with the Holy Spirit so as to give our Lord due praise and worship. Both old and young should openly glorify the Lord joyfully and wholeheartedly.

QUESTION: How are you going to celebrate this Christmas?

PRAYER: Lord, lead me to worship You joyfully with my whole heart during this Christmas and forever, in Jesus name, Amen.