Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 24, 2025

Date: Wednesday of the 4^th Week of Advent/Christmas Eve

Scripture Text:  Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“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.

Through his prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hand of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the 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.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel today is the Canticle of Zechariah. We read Zechariah’s beautiful hymn of praise to the LORD following the birth of his son, John the Baptist. The final verses are so very appropriate this day, the eve of Christmas, reminding us that the LORD sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for His own Son, Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the World and through whom we gain knowledge of and a path to peace.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

As I consider how the LORD cares for us and keeps His promises, what promises have I made to the LORD? How well am I keeping them?

Praying:

LORD, This day as we make our final preparations for Christmas, for the celebration of your gift to us individually and to our world of your only-begotten Son, help us to focus on your transformative love and to open ourselves more wholly to You. Send your Spirit to strengthen our resolve to love as the daughters and sons You created us to be. Grant that we may welcome your Son this day wholly into our homes, into our lives, into our minds, hearts, and souls. 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.