Blessings

All of us receive blessings. Sometimes we recognize these blessings and other times we do not. Blessings come in many different forms. In our reading today we hear from Zechariah as he prophesied after the birth of his son John the Baptist who was a blessing to him and Elizabeth. Zechariah thanks God for many blessings, not only for his son, but also for the blessings to Israel. He thanks God for looking favourably on God’s people, for raising a mighty saviour, for saving them from their enemies, for showing mercy, for keeping the oath made to Abraham. He is thankful the people will serve God without fear, that the child will be called the prophet of the Most High and eventually will go before the Lord to prepare the way. He thanks God for giving knowledge of salvation to the people by the forgiveness of their sins. He is thankful that God will “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Zechariah was most thankful for all that God had done for him and Elizabeth. His thankfulness overflowed to all the people. Wow!

Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings that you have bestowed on us your people. Amen. — DMF