This nativity was a wedding gift and always finds a special place for its setup in our holiday decorating. It was painted by a dear friend of the family and is one that reminds Loli and I of the people who have cared for us along our faith journey as well as our journey as a couple and family.

Luke 1:67-80

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty savior for us
    in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
    that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
    and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
    to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
    before him all our days.
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
    by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
    the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

Prayer

Holy God, we rejoice at the gift of Your Son, Jesus into our lives. As we approach Christmas, may we recognize all that this little child has done for us. As Zechariah prophesized, this baby will save us from our enemies and show us mercy. In response, we are called to serve Him without fear for all our days. Strengthen us to do just that, Merciful God. Amen.