On the threshold of the Christmas holidays, the morning liturgy of Christmas Eve offers us a text whose recitation in the liturgy of morning praise can sometimes become routine for some. However, it is truly a concise text of what we celebrate during the Christmas holidays. The author of the hymn looks at the circumstances of his life, the birth of John the Baptist, in the light of God’s plan for all of humanity, similar to what the evangelist John does in his prologue. Zechariah’s hymn contemplates history and prophetically looks into the future, which cannot turn out otherwise than well, because the God he encountered in his life is infinitely positive. Gratitude wells up from Zechariah’s heart for the way God has intervened in his family and in his life. Becoming grateful and giving thanks is a prerequisite for faith.
The entire text reflects this gushing spring of gratitude, which Zechariah could no longer stop. Imagine Christians who possess such a spring of gratitude! Thus, the beneficial news could immediately infect pessimistic and eternally complaining humanity. In joyful Christians, they would encounter salt that would add flavor to their lives, and light would come into their darkness. Is this an idealistic wish? We must not admit that at all, for the God whom Zechariah sings about here has accomplished this precisely in himself. The older man, who had long since stopped dreaming and doubted more than he should have according to the Scriptures (Luke 1:18-20), becomes a herald of the truth that where God enters life, the impossible becomes possible. On this Christmas Day, as we reflect on all the gifts we have received or will receive, let us ask for the gift of gratitude, making this day truly generous! And let us begin by giving thanks for the most minor things! We will be surprised at how rich we are.
Recently, an elderly Dutch priest, a Verist, stopped by our monastery. He was so profoundly deaf that, at times, it seemed as though we were constantly raising our voices to him. When I asked him how old he was, he quickly asked how old we were instead. Finally, he admitted that he was almost ninety, but with the remark, “You may be many years old, but you must not grow old!” And this thought really described him, because he was full of gratitude and joy. Our dialogue continued, and the missionary who once began his mission in Ghana by digging a well in an empty field added, “When people see the grace you have received, they will know that you are rich!” And I must say that we suddenly became rich too when we met this wise man. Zacharias’ experience and the content of his hymn thus became a living testimony in the person of an older man of our time, who for a moment illuminated our entire community. And believe me, we had no desire to leave the table, because a person transformed by God’s grace is captivating at any age!
Where gratitude, starting with details, is lacking, faith in God is lost. Suddenly, there is no one to thank! In contrast, when we view life through the lens of God’s plan, believing that everything is in His benevolent hands, our faith grows, and we become enriched. Zechariah became younger! What caused this? The Holy Spirit. In verse 67, we read that he was filled with the Holy Spirit. He opened Zechariah’s eyes to a new perspective. His life did not suddenly end with death. Zechariah found himself in God’s rich plan, where time is not counted and eternity is a gift. He no longer told himself he belonged “in the scrap heap.” The old man began to live an adventure because God gave him a glimpse into his depths through the Spirit, as the apostle Paul wrote: “But to us God has revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” Zechariah sought to know God even more. With the Apostle Paul, he can say that he was graced to “proclaim to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to bring to light the meaning of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things.” God wants to make himself known to us.
He bends down to us in the person of Jesus Christ, as an adult to a child. He speaks in our language so that we can understand him. He wants to heal us from the lies that the devil told us when we were weakened and wounded by sin, and thus separated us from our Heavenly Father. He wants to draw everyone back to himself (John 12:32). He longs to show that he has never ceased to be a Father and that he keeps his promises. He is willing to do everything to win his children back and remove from them the burden of sin, and all that is its consequence: guilt, shame, and fear. “We pray that we may serve him without fear and share with him the riches that belong to God’s heirs.” Fear is what most prevents us from seeing and using the gift. Yes, Christmas is about gifts. The New Testament begins clearly: Let yourself be gifted, accept the gift that God gives you in Christ, and with it He gives you everything else. You can receive this gift completely free. It will transform your heart and life. Blessed Christmas!
