Christmas, more than just about any other holiday, has the sense of expectancy built into it, largely because it is a “gift-giving” holiday. This especially stimulates high-octane excitement for children as they anticipate all the things they will receive. We tend to reinforce this with varied festivities, stories, and traditions all month long.

This spirit of anticipation is exactly the sentiment that permeated the first Christmas. In just about every segment of the story people were looking with anticipation, rejoicing at the sight, singing with joy, worshiping humbly, and thanking God for the arrival of this glorious day—the day that would usher the long-awaited Messiah into the world.

We see this in Zechariah’s response to the birth of his son, John the Baptist.

Zechariah was a temple priest and had experienced an entire life of ministry with no dynamic spiritual activity. Four hundred years of silence had plagued the people of God. Then on one ordinary day of religious ritual, an angel appears to this priest with a fresh word from God—this barren couple would have a son, and their son would introduce the Messiah to the world.

Zechariah’s ritual had gotten in the way of his faith, as he could not believe what he was hearing the angel say. God rendered him unable to speak for nine months until the child was born. There are always consequences of some sort when we ignore a word from the Lord.

Zechariah’s ritual had gotten in the way of his faith, as he could not believe what he was hearing the angel say. God rendered him unable to speak for nine months until the child was born. There are always consequences of some sort when we ignore a word from the Lord.

After John the Baptist is born, Zechariah’s emotion resembles that of a six-year-old who has just received their first bike.

In Luke 1:68-79 we see this sense of fulfillment and joy from Zechariah as he realizes that what they had longed for and waited for so long was actually happening in that very moment. God unleashes Zechariah’s tongue, and what comes out is a declaration of the character of God, the redemptive work of Jesus, the ministry of his son, John the Baptist, and just how powerfully this impacts each of us. God made every tongue to sound His praise, but only hearts enthralled with Jesus, the Son of God, ever declare His glory.

God made every tongue to sound His praise, but only hearts enthralled with Jesus, the Son of God, ever declare His glory.

God Has Kept His Promise

Zechariah went mute by not believing the angel. When God opens his mouth again, his faith has been restored—the first words he says are, “God has kept His promise.” The character of God is proven true to this man who had been steeped in a family that had only talked about the work of God, but never seen it for themselves.

He can’t help but offer praise to God for keeping His ancient promise.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people…as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old…to remember his holy covenant …the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us. (Luke 1:68, 70, 72, 73)

It seems that these months when Zechariah was unable to speak, his focus was on the promises of God, not the perplexity of his problem. Out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth erupted with praise. In our confusing seasons we are wise to focus on the truths that God has assured to our hearts, not just the vague and extended difficulties of our present circumstance.

Jesus is Really What it is All About

Zechariah uses this phrase in verse 69: “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us,” referring to Jesus as the powerful Son of God who would come to save the world from sin. Ironically, it was at John the Baptist’s birth that his dad is celebrating a baby other than his own. Zechariah knew what we should know during this season—Jesus is the aim of everything that is happening. Zechariah knew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that his son’s purpose was subject to God’s Son’s purpose. This is a vital insight for every parent who desires to honor Christ and properly guide their own children during the holiday season.

Zechariah knew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that his son’s purpose was subject to God’s Son’s purpose. This is a vital insight for every parent who desires to honor Christ and properly guide their own children during the holiday season.

The Impact on Us Today

In verses 74 and 75 this father describes the impact that Jesus would have on us and the spiritual victory that Jesus would produce in the life of everyone who believed. While the Jews were looking for a military and political conquest, Jesus would provide spiritual victory for all who trusted in Him. “That we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days” (Luke 1:74-75).

Jesus brings freedom from the enemy, freedom from fear, and freedom from the power and penalty of sin. This is our assurance in the message of Christmas.

Jesus brings freedom from the enemy, freedom from fear, and freedom from the power and penalty of sin. This is our assurance in the message of Christmas.

John’s Mission is Our Mission

Finally, Zechariah begins speaking about his own newborn son as he states, ”And you, child.” John would prepare the way of the Lord and be a “prophet of the most high.” In doing so he would bring people into the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.

While we are not John the Baptist, we too have the mission to present Jesus to a dark world. The mission of every believer and the church of Jesus Christ in this holiday season is clear—“…to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79).

The mission of every believer and the church of Jesus Christ in this holiday season is clear—“…to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79).

So, make the celebration grand this month. In doing so, remember—like Zechariah—that the celebration is not just about our kids; it’s really about Jesus. Tell your family that this excitement must be rooted in the true spirit of Christmas, and that it’s been this way since the beginning. Tell them about Jesus and how significant His coming is to a broken world. Rejoice that the darkness that permeates our lives can be illuminated by the glory of Christ. In Him the future is bright.

Copyright © 2022 Troy Keaton. All rights reserved.

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Troy Keaton is Sr. Pastor of Eastlake Community Church in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, where God is working powerfully through the congregation in their burgeoning Christian school and by their commitment to encourage pastors. He is also a member of the National Directional Team for The 6:4 Fellowship. You can learn more about his ministry at https://eastlake-church.com.