Friday in the Fourth Week in Advent | Christmas Eve
Intention: As we await the birth of our Savior, we pray that we will make our hearts worthy to receive him, our voices worthy to proclaim him, and our lives worthy to follow him.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 1:67-79
Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
A Short Reflection for the Fourth Thursday of Advent
On the eve of our Lord’s birth, the people of Israel were anxious. They were mired in desperate times, faced daily with insecurity, deprivation, and oppression. In their struggles, they looked to their scriptures and to God’s ancient promise of deliverance. They knew that they could count on God’s faithfulness, even if they could not know exactly how and when it would manifest itself. Then arrived the sight of a single star in the night sky and the good news that a door had been opened to their salvation. It was a moment of supreme wonder and joy for all who accepted this grace. Sadly, however, not everyone did. And so, generations later, countless people continue to cry out as they are crushed by the poverty, violence, corruption, prejudice, and indifference that come from human sinfulness. With all that humanity has learned and accomplished, missing the meaning of God’s presence among us leaves so many people bereft of dignity or fulfillment. For this to end, we must, like Zechariah, lift our eyes and hearts to God’s promised redemption. We must reach for the gift that was given to free us from the slavery of sin. We must remember and embrace our oneness as children of God. As Christmas Eve turns to Christmas Day, when our voices once again sing of Christ’s birth and of peace on Earth and good will toward all, we ourselves must listen to those words and then dare to believe.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your love is everlasting. You are our God and we are your people for all eternity. As we ready ourselves to welcome your Perfect Presence in the coming of your Son, may we prepare a place for him in our hearts. Take away our smallness and our fears and rekindle in us the fire of our faith. Make us ready to receive the gift of our salvation as he seeks to dwell with us and fill us with the light of newborn peace, hope, and love. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.