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Gospel: Luke 1:67-79
Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Saint Luke makes fourteen different references to “peace” in his Gospel, the first coming from the lips of Zechariah in today’s passage.
After his wife Elizabeth gives birth to their son, John the Baptist, Zechariah praises God, saying:
“You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way… to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
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This word resurfaces at the birth of Christ.
After the angel appears to the shepherds, revealing the Good News of our Savior’s birth, a choir of angels erupts in heaven, singing: “Glory to God in the highest! And on earth peace to people of good will.”
Throughout his public ministry, Jesus later imparts this same peace to those who welcome him, who approach him in faith, or who are healed by him.
“Go in peace,” he says.
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So, what is this “peace”?
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It’s inextricably linked with our redemption.
Meaning, in Christ humanity finds its rest; its restoration; its salvation; its communion with God.
In a matter of hours, we will celebrate the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace. As we gaze upon him laying in a manger, may we rejoice that salvation has come in this lowly child.
God has ransomed his people. He has set us free!
Day by day, he is guiding our feet into the way of peace.
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Image credits: (1) Hillsong Worship, YouTube (2) The Benedictus, Rembrandt (3) TheTeachableHeart.com, WordPress