Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. Luke 1:68 
- These words were spoken by the father of John the Baptist at the time of John’s circumcision. Of whom was Zechariah speaking? See the context Luke 1:59-68
- During Advent, we often hear songs based on the “O Antiphons.” One of them says, “O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, You appeared to Moses in the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave him Your Law. Come and with outstretched arm redeem us!” Zechariah proclaimed redemption as part of Christ’s coming. Why do we talk so much about redemption at the time of Jesus’ birth?
- Our culture is permeated with attitudes and practices that need redemption. Think of three cultural manifestations that need redemption and pray specifically invoking Christ’s redemption for the nation as a whole and for individuals entrapped by these ideas.
- Zechariah spoke of the redemption Christ would bring as a completed fact. What made it possible for him to view a future event as a completed fact? We look back at Jesus’ life and think of his life and work as history. What makes it possible for us to view his life and work as present realities?
Living On Tilt 
What makes it possible for me to view Christ’s work as a present reality? He’s at work in my life today. His Words speak to me about my life. His Holy Spirit speaks, making the life & work of Christ relevant. Jesus died that I could live this full, abundant life. He is my Healer.
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Your answer is the answer secular thinkers must face. Those who reject spiritual realities call the Bible a bunch of “ghost stories.” Your answer is what our lives must project if we expect to make the kind of impact on the twenty-first century that the disciples made in Century 1. Thank you for this comment.
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