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I wonder what that first dawn was like—that first morning with the holy child, safely delivered after a long night of uncertainty. I wonder if the sky felt different that morning, if the colors on the horizon were any more vivid. Probably not. The story of Jesus is a story of humble beginnings and even more humble endings.
But that didn’t stop others from seeing the growing light of hope, as if peering through a prism. Along the way there were always some who could see what others could not. Zechariah was one of them. He was the father of John the Baptist, and as soon as John was born Zechariah could sense that God’s dream would unfold in powerful ways in the life of his son and the one whose presence he would proclaim.
Looking down at his infant son, Zechariah had a vision, and he prophesied: “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 day was coming, and soon, when the Lord of Light, the Prince of Peace, would walk among the people and usher in a new kingdom of boundless love and mercy.
It may be hard to see it in the midst of our lives today. It may be hard to hear the song of the angels or the cries of the shepherds. But remember that it started humbly that first day as well. He came during a long night, in the midst of darkness and fear. Slowly and subtly, the light grew, just as Zechariah predicted.
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