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The Faces of Christmas (Luke 1:77-78) "through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God" These words were spoken by an old priest named Zechariah. He and his aged wife were given a son in their later years. Zechariah spoke these words at the circumcision party for his son John. He was looking ahead to the mission of his son John, who would be known as John the Baptizer. Can you picture the scene in your mind? An old man, well into the "grandparent" years, holds an infant in his arms. He stares down at the face of the little child, his old eyes now full of the sparkle of wonder. He hasn't been able to speak since before the child was conceived, now almost 10 months ago. After writing on a tablet that the child was to be given the name "John," the old man feels an urge that has not been felt for months. He feels the urge to use his tongue. More than that, he feels an urge to say specific words, ideas welling up in his heart and mind, ideas that sound more like an Old Testament prophet than like an old man. Even if he is a priest, Zechariah has little experience speaking by the prompting of the Holy Spirit about things so sacred. The verse at the start of this article has a couple of phrases used by Zechariah. An old man holding his first child in his arms might well be thinking of God's tender mercy. After all, holding a newborn infant is a tender matter. Zechariah sees beyond the child in his arms to another child, a Child soon to come into the world. He sees a vision of God's tender mercy in the face of another Child, the Child promised to Adam and Eve so long ago. This Christmas you will recall the faces of your children or your own face celebrating the joys of the birth of Jesus Christ. You may have the privilege of gazing on childish faces bright with the excitement and happiness of receiving and giving gifts. I hope you can at least have a small glimpse past the earthly faces to the face of another Child, the One born so long ago near Bethlehem. Open the Gospel of Luke and read again the first two chapters of this precious story. Come to worship throughout the entire month of December and be reminded again of God's precious promises to save us. Come enjoy the birth of your Savior! If you don't, then I wonder what faces you will actually see this Christmas.
Glad
to be in Christ’s service,
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