Daily Gospel Reflection for December 19, 2025

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:5-25

This Gospel stirs up many questions about Zechariah and Elizabeth. But after reading it a few times, I let go of the questions and focused on two things that struck me and reminded me that in every age, people have behaved like we do at this time.

The first point is that Zechariah received his answer to prayer from the angel Gabriel. When he sees Gabriel, he is afraid, then confused, and, then, it seems he is in disbelief. So, he is struck silent. However, when he goes home, he must have somehow relayed this information to Elizabeth. And together they conceive their son. 

They cooperated with God. How do we know this? John the Baptist was born! While his conception was indeed miraculous given the age of Elizabeth, his conception occurred in the usual way. All of their lives, according to Scripture, they did what God asked them to do. And then, in His timing, they received a most precious gift.

When we pray, do we expect the answer right away? Or can we trust that God will answer in His perfect timing?

The second point is Elizabeth’s response when she realizes she is pregnant. “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others." (Luke 1:25). It struck me that at that time, people were judging and gossiping, comparing themselves to others, and we are still doing it. Why? We compare ourselves to others and find ourselves lacking. That is not what God wants for us.

When we trust in His plan and timing, possibilities are shown to us. Ways to cooperate with God open up that may surprise us. But in the end, like he did for Zechariah and Elizabeth, God will give us what is best. 

Ponder:

In what areas do I need to learn to cooperate better with God, relying on His timing and not my own?

Pray:

Dear Lord, help me to trust You fully and learn to cooperate with You completely.

Copyright 2025 Deanna Bartalini