There’s a sunrise at the end of Luke chapter 1.

A sun rising on those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death.

His name is Jesus.
He comes because of the tender mercy of our God.
He gives knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sin.

And he does not only bring forgiveness of sins past, thereby giving you a chance to be better. He makes something true that wasn’t true before – he makes us holy and righteous.

Here’s what Zechariah says:

“that we… might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” (Luke 1:74-75).

That’s the truth of Jesus Christ.

When the fullness of time came (oh, all the years spent in darkness!), God sent forth his son (oh, blessed sunrise!), born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5).

Praise God for the righteousness and holiness given us in Christ, that we are redeemed, adopted, and serve our God without fear all our days.

Merry Christmas!