Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,… (Lk 1:67-79)
Zechariah prophesied. His prophecy was one of blessing God for the work of redemption. God’s work of salvation has begun and it has begun from the house of David. This salvation was promised through all the prophets and it was an oath sworn to Abraham. This is a model song to sing regularly for the salvation received from God.
This salvation is a rescue from the enemies. Our God is a saviour-God. He has rescued us from evil, from danger and from difficulties and from situations of death. He rescued us from enemies who have threatened our life with fear and those who hate. Salvation is to create a situation of freedom and liberty. It is in this freedom that we are called to worship God.
The child that is born is to give this knowledge of salvation. The child is the forerunner to this salvation and he has to reveal this salvation is from sin and dangers. The child that is born is not only to give the knowledge of salvation but also to inform the people that the saviour is at hand. The saviour is sent to the people because of the tender mercy of God.
