Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Advent Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 Luke 1:57-66

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer Praying Advent Daily Advent Prayer

The readings today all speak of preparation and the consequences of preparation.  Fitting themes for Dec. 23rd, the day before Christmas Eve.  Throughout all of the readings we see God’s graciousness in providing opportunities and grace for preparation.  Even the first reading, which speaks of the ominous consequences of not being prepared ends with a statement of God’s desire to prepare people and change hearts to reduce those negative effects.  The Psalm reminds us of God’s grace and willingness to teach and lead those willing to listen and follow.  Finally, the gospel reading shows us the consequences of Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s preparation.  Their preparation enabled them to not only stand up against peer pressure from relatives but also enabled them to speak and act in a way that brought others to recognize the presence of God in their lives. 

On this day before Christmas Eve the time for preparation for Christmas is drawing to a close.  It is now time to set priorities and decide how to spend these last hours before they are gone.  What matters most?  Can we ask for guidance and grace to spend our day in a way that recognizes the core realities of redemption and justice?  Can the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah help us to think about how we might spend our holiday time with family in any different way this year?  Can the Psalm help us to have a sense of gratitude for the ways that we have already seen redemption in our lives and our families and give us hope for more to come?  Can the first reading remind us of the challenges of refining and the mercy of God?  Do we need to turn our hearts towards our parents or our children in any new way today?

May the Spirit of wisdom guide your readings and reflections this day – and may you have a blessed Christmas season this year!