Thursday, December 24, 2015

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation…  Luke 1:67-69

Zacharias had just experienced the birth of a son. One born of a “barren” wife. You would think that he would bless God for that recent miracle. Instead, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and led to praise God for a birth that would happen six months later. That birth’s supreme glory would be further validated by the heavenly host who proclaimed; “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). With the Spirit’s help Zacharias recognized that wondrous birth. May we too rejoice in it. —Ken Gross

Joyful, all ye nations rise; join the triumph of the skies,
With the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
—C. Wesley