Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 23, 2024

Date: Monday of the 4th Week of Advent

Scripture Text: Luke 1:57-66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name."

So, they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts the birth and naming of John the Baptist as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. We see the promise of the LORD delivered through the angel Gabriel are realized. We also see Zechariah embrace of and adherence to the words of the angel, “and you shall name him John” which literally means “the LORD is gracious”.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How resolute am I to honor what I know to be the will of the LORD for me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, only-begotten Son, Most Holy Spirit, You are love itself and from You, through You, and in You love enters our world, our lives, yes, even us, most especially us. Your mercy and compassion shines like a light in our world. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the gift of your presence among us and a sign of your love for us, help us to seek again prayerfully your will for us and the faith, hope and love to embrace that will and live it joyfully. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.