"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 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 1:76-79
These verses are from Zechariah's prophecy of his son, John the Baptist's, ministry, and then of Jesus' birth and mission. When I was reading this in my devotions just a few weeks ago, verses 78 and 79 really stuck out to me. "Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." I absolutely love the word picture. Jesus Christ is the sunrise that "shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Have you ever seen a sunrise? It's magnificent! A burst of beauty and glory that begins a new day. Jesus' appearance into the world was a rich manifestation of His beauty and glory that brought a new day in Christianity. His life and death brought light to the lives of dark, filthy sinners who cowered in the shadow of death. His life and death brought peace. His life and death brought life. And why did Jesus come? "Because of the tender mercy of our God." How beautiful is that? Through God's tender mercy, the sunrise came from on high to give salvation to His people and to give peace and life.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let's praise God for His tender mercy in sending His Son for our redemption and for His glory.