Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 24, 2024

Date: Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent

Scripture Text: 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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today, the day before Christmas, is Zechariah’s canticle of praise heralding the coming of Christ and his son’s, John’s, role in Christ’s saving mission. The canticle highlights the LORD’s trustworthiness and mercy.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How trusting am I of the LORD? How cooperative am I to the LORD's grace and love?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, as we near the celebration of Christmas, the celebration of your gift of your only-begotten Son to us as our brother and savior, we give You thanks for your love of us and your will that we be your people, that we have life in abundance. Send your Spirit to guide us as we prepare ourselves again to welcome your beloved Son. Grant that we may more fully grasp the gift He is to us, that we may more closely follow in His footsteps, and that we may more perfectly seek your will for us. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.