I saw the lilac bush starting to bloom this morning! It reminded me of when my husband and I were married almost 34 years ago. The altar and all the tables at the wedding reception had fresh lilacs. Whenever I see or smell a lilac, I’m reminded of the promise I made to my husband and that we made before God. God’s sacred covenant with Abraham promised him a people, land and blessing (see Genesis 12:1-7). With the birth of John the Baptist, Zechariah prophesied that the sacred covenant to Abraham was remembered because of the coming Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.- Teresa

Luke 1: 67-80 ( ESV)

67 ‘Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

68 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,

    because he has visited and redeemed his people.

69 He has sent us a mighty Savior[a]

    from the royal line of his servant David,

70 just as he promised

    through his holy prophets long ago.

71 Now we will be saved from our enemies

    and from all who hate us.

72 He has been merciful to our ancestors

    by remembering his sacred covenant—

73 the covenant he swore with an oath

    to our ancestor Abraham.

74 We have been rescued from our enemies

    so we can serve God without fear,

75 in holiness and righteousness

    for as long as we live.

76 “And you, my little son,

    will be called the prophet of the Most High,

    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.

77 You will tell his people how to find salvation

    through forgiveness of their sins.

78 Because of God’s tender mercy,

    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,[b]

79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

80 John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.’