Wednesday 24 December 2025

Today is Wednesday the 24th of December, in the 4th week of Advent. The Portsmouth Grammar School Chamber Choir sing 'Lux Aurumque' by Eric Whitacre: “Light, warm and heavy as pure gold, and the angels sing softly to the newborn babe”. Can you hear the picture of Christ’s light in this song? Lux, Calida gravisque pura velut aurum Et canunt angeli molliter modo natum. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:67-79 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ Can you remember a time of watching dawn arrive? The light stealing into the shadows… the sun gradually breaking open the darkness and revealing what was unseen. In what ways might light and peace be gently breaking upon you and your life at this time? The Saviour’s way was being prepared for his arrival. How are you and God together preparing for his Son to come among us? As you hear again Zechariah’s Spirit-filled words, how might your heart be drawn to bless God? Luke 1:67-79 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ In this final day of waiting for Jesus to once more steal among us in quiet, hidden, unexpected ways, speak with him about your hopes for his arriving anew. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus

“I’m Glad to Know I’m Missed”