Wednesday, December 24, 2025 -
[2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 and Luke 1:67-79]
"Your house and your Kingdom shall endure before me; your throne shall stand firm forever..." [2 Samuel] "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..." [Luke]
DECEMBER 24 MASS IN THE MORNING
The "Canticle of Zechariah," which forms today's gospel scripture from the Gospel According to Luke, is recited every day at Morning Prayer in the LIturgy of the Hours. It is placed in the mouth of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, and is uttered when Zechariah's tongue is loosed from the muteness imposed on him when he doubted that Elizabeth, his wife, would become pregnant since they were both "older." The canticle makes two important points. First, it clearly identifies John the Baptist as a "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." But secondly, and most importantly, it identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy given to King David in 2 Samuel 7, which forms the first scripture for the Mass during the day today. Luke strengthens this point when recounting the story of the trip to Bethlehem, the "City of David," because "he was of the house and family of David." [Luke 2:4].
Christmas Eve can be a frantic day. Last minute shopping for gifts and groceries, and kids too excited to go to bed so that Santa can do his work, can easily distract from "the reason for the season!" To attend Mass today in the morning when one intends to go later at Midnight or at the "Children's Mass" in early evening can mean that the message of the scriptures this morning gets lost. But let it be known that God is the first and foremost "promise-keeper." And the best gift will be celebrated in the birth of Jesus Christ! John the Baptist invites us to join him in proclaiming it! AMEN!
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