The Horn of Salvation: A symbol of strength and power that quenches all fear and destroys our enemies. Christ is our horn of salvation.
In Luke 1:68-79, we read Zechariah’s celebration and prophecy after the birth of his son John the Baptist. In this speech, Zechariah uses the phrase “the Horn of Salvation” to describe Christ, the savior who was soon to be born. The Horn of Salvation. These are weird words for us to imagine, but these 4 little words contain so much hope for us this Christmas.
To understand the significance of this statement, you sorta have to go back and read the beginning of the chapter in order to understand what was happening in Zechariah’s heart. When the angel first appeared to Zechariah and told him he would have a son, his response had been fear and questioning how the plan could possibly happen. So God gave Zechariah the gift of silence. This gift, that appeared to be a curse, gave Zechariah the space needed to come to understand what God was doing through His family.
The inability to communicate his own thoughts, questions, fears, or plans, kept Zechariah focused on God and by the time the baby was born, we see Zechariah no longer fearful, but God focused.
He rejoices, worships, and trusts in a way he did not months earlier when he was overcome by fear when an angel appeared to him. Zechariah had learned his lesson about doubting God.
Zechariah’s downfall in this story was fear. He feared the angel. He feared God’s plan. He didn’t understand how or why or what God’s plan was, so, Luke 1:12 states, “Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him”. Fear fell upon him.
Fear
Then we jump down to verse 68 where Zechariah states, “the horn of Salvation”. The horn of Salvation is defined as a symbol of strength and power that quenches all fear and destroys our enemies.
Zechariah has encountered God and saw first hand his need for this horn of salvation, a savior who can quench all fear.
If you are anything like me, fear is something that lurks in the background on many days. We, like Zechariah, like to understand things and question things and allow fear to keep us from moving forward.
This Christmas, as we get ready to celebrate what may or may not be a joyous holiday for you, let’s remember that Christ, the greatest gift we have been given, is OUR horn of salvation. He has come to be our strength and power and to quench all fear.
So as you sing your Christmas carols, open your presents, and attend the candlelight services, truly rejoice this Christmas that the Horn of Salvation has been born.
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