The people of God had been living for centuries in what David called “the valley of the shadow of death.” Generation after generation clung to the promises God had made from the very beginning—that one day, a Redeemer would come to crush the serpent’s head and end death’s dominion. Then, in a humble stable in Bethlehem, the promises found their fulfillment in the birth of a baby. The songwriter captured it perfectly: “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” Humanity had waited so long for this child, the one through whom heaven’s light would pierce earth’s gloom. As the poet wrote, “Do not ask for whom the bell tolls—it tolls for thee.” But now, the bell that had rung for death would soon ring for life, because the long silence of sorrow was about to be broken by a newborn cry.
Zechariah’s song, the Benedictus, celebrates not himself or his son John, but the Redeemer John would proclaim. After nine months of holy silence, Zechariah burst forth in praise, announcing that the ancient promises to Abraham and David were now being fulfilled. His song declares, “Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.” (Luke 1:78–79) John’s birth signaled that the dawn was about to break. Like a herald standing on a mountain shouting “The sun is rising!” he called all who would listen to prepare their hearts. His message was simple but urgent: open the doors of your life and let the light in. The dark valley of sin and despair would not last forever. The long night was giving way to morning, and the angels were already rehearsing their song.
When Jesus entered the world, the sleep of death was shattered forever. The Apostle Paul later wrote, “Awake, sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14) The best dreams come true when we wake up to the reality of redemption. Eugene Peterson paraphrased it beautifully in The Message: “God turns life around. Turned-around Jacob skips rope; turned-around Israel sings laughter.” At Christmas, laughter and light return to the world. The night has passed, the Daystar has risen, and Bethlehem’s baby has turned mourning into music. The valley of shadows has become the dawn of everlasting joy.