Zechariah’s Song: The Carol of Redemption

Introduction

Every song has a story. Some songs are born out of joy, others out of pain. And sometimes, the most powerful songs come after a long silence.

Let me tell you about a man who lost his voice—not because of sickness, but because of doubt. Imagine being a priest, chosen to serve in the Temple, standing before the altar of incense. [represents prayers going to heaven].

Suddenly, an angel appears and says, ‘Your prayer has been heard. Your wife will bear a son.’

But instead of singing, Zechariah stumbles. He questions. He doubts. And in that moment, his voice is taken away. For nine long months, silence. No words. No song.

Until one day, when the promise is fulfilled, his tongue is loosed—and the first sound out of his mouth is not complaint, not chatter, but praise. A carol of redemption. A song that echoes David’s victory hymn: ‘He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.’

1. Background of the Text

Zechariah and Elizabeth: faithful, “very old,” childless—yet still praying.

Zechariah’s priestly duty: burning incense in the Holy Place, symbolizing prayers rising to God.

A divine interruption: “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer.”

He asked, (Luke 1:18 “18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”” ).

Zechariah doubted. “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years”

Because of his unbelief, Gabriel declared he would be mute until the promise was fulfilled.

His silence became a stage for God’s promise; his voice returned in praise.

Luke: Verse by Verse Introduction: Filled with the Spirit (1:67)

His hymn is also a prophecy regarding what is to transpire through these events.

Hook: From silence to song, from doubt to faith—that’s the rhythm of Zechariah’s carol.

2. The Song

Luke 1:64–80 NIV

64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— 72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Zechariah’s tongue is loosed, and the first words are worship.

His prophecy is both personal (about John) and prophetic (about Christ).

imagine the neighbors whispering: “What then is this child going to be?” That question echoes through history—answered in Christ.

3. Jesus Brings Us Victory

“Horn of Salvation”

In the ancient world, horns symbolized —the horn of a bull or ram was a natural image of power. strength, authority, and victory

Horns were also part of Israel’s worship: the altar had four horns, symbolizing divine strength and refuge.

David used the phrase in his psalm of deliverance: (2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 18:2).“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the horn of my salvation”

Outside of Luke 1:69, the phrase appears only in David’s psalm. By choosing it, Zechariah ties the Messiah directly to the —God’s promise of a king from David’s line who would reign forever. Zechariah’s use is rare and deliberate. Davidic covenant

Did You Know? Sidebar

The phrase “Horn of Salvation” is used only twice in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 22:3 “3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me.”

Psalm 18:2 “2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” ) and then again here in

Luke 1:69 “69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” .

That rarity makes Zechariah’s song unique—it’s like he’s quoting David’s victory hymn and declaring: “The Messiah is the true Son of David, the victorious King we’ve been waiting for.

When you hear “horn,” think of strength, triumph, and covenant promises fulfilled

The word was used to describe the house and kingdom of Isreal when David was king

Luke: Verse by Verse Praise for Messianic Redemption (1:68–75)

To describe this he uses language of national deliverance: God “has raised up a horn of salvation” (1:69), taking this from

This rare word is a signal: the Messiah is not just a child, but the victorious King who fulfills centuries of prophecy.

VICTORY OVER SIN

Luke: Verse by Verse The Future Ministries of John and Jesus (1:76–79)

With verse 77 we turn from social revolution (vv. 71–74) to spiritual salvation, and the restoration comes via repentance and the forgiveness of sins (also 1:17; 3:3). The deliverance of God’s people from their enemies (vv. 71, 74) now turns to “knowledge of [spiritual] salvation” or deliverance from the far greater enemy, sin.

Illustration: The Star in the Window

“It was Christmas Eve, back during World War II. A father and his little boy were driving home together. Snow was falling softly, and the houses they passed were glowing with Christmas lights.” “As they drove, the boy noticed something. In many of the windows, there was a star hanging. Curious, he turned to his father.” Daddy, why do some of the people have a star in their window?’ ‘Son, that star means the family has a boy in the war. It’s their way of showing honor and sacrifice.’ They pulled into their own driveway. Just then, the boy looked up at the night sky. The evening star was shining bright above them.” ‘Look, Daddy! God’s got a star in His window. He must have a Son in the war too!’ “And the boy was right. God’s Son entered the battlefield of this world—not with weapons of steel, but with the power of salvation. Jesus came to fight for us, to defeat sin, death, and Satan. That’s the true star of Christmas.”

4. Jesus Brings Us Salvation

Salvation is not just a word —it’s forgiveness, freedom, and a future.

Zechariah sings of mercy remembered, covenant fulfilled, enemies defeated.

The child John will prepare the way, but the Savior will make the way.

5. Jesus Brings Us Out of Darkness into Peace

(v.78–79).“The rising sun will come to us from heaven…”

We can serve without fear vs. 74

Light breaking into shadow, peace guiding our feet.

Christmas is dawn after a long night.

Invite people to picture sunrise after a storm—the first rays cutting through clouds. That’s Christ.

6. Jesus Brings Us Assurance That We Are Not Forgotten

God remembered His covenant with Abraham.

God remembered Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayers.

God remembers us.

Christmas is proof: You are not forgotten. You are redeemed.

Conclusion

Mary sang of God’s mercy.

Zechariah sang of God’s victory.

Together, their carols remind us: Christmas is God’s song over His people.