Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 20, 2025

Date: Saturday of the 3^rd Week of Advent

Scripture Text:  Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”Then the angel departed from her.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel from Luke immediately follows yesterday’s when Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to tell him that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son even though they were advanced in years and Elizabeth was considered barren. Today, Gabriel’s appearance to Mary to announce to her the Almighty Father’s desire that Mary become the mother of His beloved Son through the power of the Spirit. The trajectory of human history was changed with Mary’s unselfish and loving “yes.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

What has the LORD asked me to consider? What am I being asked to do for love of the LORD and others? Will I say “yes”?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, your love for humanity is expressed most powerfully in your gift of your only-begotten Son, Jesus, to us as our brother, as our teacher, as our redeemer. Always and everywhere your power and presence are at work in our world, our lives. Through the Spirit, You seek to gift us and guide us, inviting us to be a part of your divine design, your ongoing salvific mission. Grant that we may open ourselves to your invitations and cooperate with your graces and gifts, giving ourselves to You and to your will for us. May this season be marked by our increased openness to You and your love as we continue to prepare and anticipate the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. 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