Monday 23 December 2024

Today is Monday the 23rd of December in the 4th week of Advent. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing the Benedictus, the Song of Zechariah, words we will hear in today’s reading: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old. A saviour who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us… Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:57-66 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. We can imagine the scene, in a tight-knit community. The priest’s wife, childless for years, beyond all hope gives birth to a son. The excitement and gossip must have been at fever pitch. Has God ever fulfilled your hopes in an unexpected way, or made you ponder and question? Zechariah’s silence becomes praise. It was his doubt that reduced him to silence. Gratitude and wonder give him voice. What words of gratitude, wonder or questioning do you want to speak to God at this time? As we listen again to the reading, what words or ideas strike you specially? Do you feel prompted to any particular response or reaction? John the Baptist prompted his hearers to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’. Take time now to speak to God from your heart as you prepare for the fulfilment of God’s promise. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus