In the
tender compassion of our God
the dawn
from on high will break upon us,
to shine on
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to
guide our feet into the way of peace.
- The Benedictus
 |
| http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54189 |
The
Benedictus which we sing or say daily at Morning Prayer always
resonates with me. Zechariah’s song of thanksgiving for the birth
of his son John the Baptist is such an outpouring of love. First,
Zechariah praises God for deliverance of Israel, and for the
covenants God has made, in the past and currently in the coming of
John and soon, Jesus. The second half of the Benedictus is addressed
to John as the prophet and forerunner of Jesus, the Jesus who will
bring peace to God’s people.
God’s
unconditional love for us is so great that in the incarnation God
takes on human flesh in Jesus. Our redemption and freedom are
secured by this. Our sins are forgiven. The astonishing fact is
that we can do for others what Jesus has done for us. Ronald
Rohlheiser says ‘to be touched, loved, and forgiven by a member of
the body of believers is to be touched, loved, and forgiven by
Christ. The incredible power and mercy that came into our world in
Jesus is still with us, if we choose to activate it.’
We are
called to be beacons of light in the darkness of this world, not just
at Christmas but throughout the year. Blessed be God who helps us to
do this!
– Doreen Davidson
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