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Greetings & Salutations
December 11th, 2012
Luke 1:67-80
Zechariah’s song, The Benediction (Benedictus in Latin) is a favorite of mine. I use it almost daily.
I extracted a paraphrased salutation from Zechariah’s song: Through the tender mercies of our God, may the Dayspring from on high give you light and peace (Luke 1:78-79).
I have used this as a salutation in hundreds of letters and emails. A friend even made me a needlepoint banner of that salutation that has been on my wall for 15 years.
Many lines in Zechariah’s song lend themselves to salutations or greetings. Consider these examples:
- May the Christ of Christmas guide your feet in paths of peace (Luke 1:79).
- May our God enable you to live fearlessly in holiness and virtue all your days (Luke 1:74-75).
- Rejoice, assured that forgiveness and salvation has come to you (Luke 1:77).
- Praise the Lord, our God and Redeemer (Luke 1:68).
Prayerfully study the Benedictus and create your own greeting or salutation. Use it to open or close every letter, Christmas card, or email you send this Christmas. This passage will be close to your heart for years. And it will settle like a benediction on those who receive it.
Author: Wesley Tracy
Tags: God
December 11th, 2012 at 6:39 am
Since our life is a letter (2 Corinthians 3:3), our greeting to the world would be Luke 1:76, our salutation would be Luke 1:70 and the way we actually live places in the punctuation as to whether or not we truly believe.