Here is a beautiful message in Luke 1, spoken by Zechariah, addressing his son, John the Baptist:

“you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,” [and so John did, sent by God for stirring up the people’s desire for righteousness.]

Luke 1:77 “to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,”

[This was a new truth, for the Jews thought that through the keeping of the law they could be saved. However, as it says in Romans 3, “But now a righteousness from God, APART FROM THE LAW, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.” This is a mystery revealed in Christ; it is the perspective of God, different from the tradition of the Jews.]

Luke 1:78 “because of the tender mercy of our God,”

[And this new way, the costly way of Jesus, is opened because our God is gracious, tender and merciful towards His enemies. We exalt you, O Lord, our God, for your kindness, your grace, your loving goodness towards us when we deserve the opposite. HELP US TO DWELL consistently IN THAT WONDERFUL TRUTH, IN THE LIGHT OF YOUR LOVE!]