Daily Gospel Reflection for December 24, 2024

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:67-79

I love that the Church gives us Zechariah to ponder on Christmas Eve.

Zechariah is very relatable. After all, he questioned God when the angel Gabriel appeared proclaiming a miracle. “How shall I know this?” he had asked. In other words, he asked, “How can I possibly believe this?” and cited a lifetime of unanswered prayers.

Isn’t this like us when we question how everything will work out or wonder if God’s hand is truly in things that are happening within our families? When we feel crushed by difficulties and have little hope for change?

Consider Zechariah’s transformation, from his reaction in the temple to his proclamation after John’s birth. God gave him exactly what he needed to prepare for his son. Zechariah was made to live in silence for nine months.

As John was growing, hidden within Elizabeth’s womb, so was the Word of God, hidden within Zechariah's heart. It grew through Zechariah's reflection on the words of the prophets and of the angel. Zechariah learned to trust God’s promises to him and to the Jewish people. I can imagine that his heart had been bursting, but that he was unable to speak what was there until he had spoken the name John over his child.

Out of a heart that had spent nine months pondering and reflecting, out of a heart in which God had grown, came prophetic words and words of love and wonder. Words praising God.

A child may or may not be growing within us, but we are each called to spend time with God in silence and to allow Him to grow within our hearts. We are each called to live and proclaim our Lord who has come and is coming. And today, Christmas Eve, is a perfect time to do that more deeply.

Ponder:

Am I giving God some of my time on a regular basis, allowing Him to transform me so that I can proclaim Him, with my words and my life, to those around me?

Pray:

Dearest Lord, I know I too easily question You and Your ways. Today, on the eve of the celebration of Your birth, I choose to trust in You and give myself and my family to You so that You may do Your work in us.

Daily Gospel 2