Zechariah 9:9-17

In the midst of Advent with stars and shopping bags, pine trees and parties, all competing for our attention, it is easy to lose focus. The celebration of the Advent and Christmas seasons are wonderful, community-building traditions. But it is easy to think only of the baby in the story -- he’s cute and chubby and makes for darling Christmas cards. However, the words of Zechariah remind us that the baby will grow up to be a man. “Your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey.” The sweet, chubby baby who’s likeness surrounds us in the dark of December grew up to become the man who entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna.” But we know that those Hosannas were hollow, and the real triumph came only after Jesus died and was risen again.

Our God, we give thanks for the baby whose birth we anticipate, but we also give thanks for the sacrifice of your son, Jesus. Through him you set the captives free and saved us all from our sins. For that we shout, Hosanna! Amen.

Anonymous