B
BarbaraTherese
Guest
Daily Mass Readings
usccb.org/nab/122407.shtml
Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=12&day=24&year=2007&x=5&y=8
Zechariah gave praise and worship to Yahweh, the faithful God who had come to save his people. He proclaimed that God has “raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant” (Luke 1:69), a Savior who would free God’s people from all their enemies (1:71). Zechariah’s son John would be the forerunner who would prepare Israel for its Savior. He would announce that the time had come for the destruction of Israel’s enemies.
Centuries earlier, King David had led Israel in the defeat of their enemies, the Philistines. Having ushered in an era of peace, David next turned his attention to building a temple for Yahweh—a place where the people could worship God and experience his presence among them. Now, before Zechariah’s eyes, God was preparing the way for a “son of David” who would bring a new freedom to the children of God. This time, it was not their political enemies but their spiritual enemies that this king would conquer. By his cross, Jesus has overcome every sin and all the work of the devil.
How marvelous is the plan of God! Just as David had to defeat Israel’s enemies before his son Solomon could build a temple, so too Jesus had to conquer our enemies before he could build the church. Jesus not only freed us from our enemies; he freed us for life with him. Delivered from all that once oppressed us, we can now relate with God as our Father and to be guided by him into a life of peace.
Today is Christmas Eve. Do you believe that Jesus is capable of giving you a sense of well-being, wholeness, and security? Do you believe that you are chosen and beloved of God?
As you prepare to celebrate the birth of your Deliverer tomorrow, try setting aside some extra time for prayer.
Bring to Jesus those things that are troubling you and ask him to deliver you. Let his light shine on you and bring you his profound peace.
“Jesus, you are my Savior and my Deliverer. I surrender my life and all its cares to you. Let your light and peace come to my loved ones and me as we celebrate the great event of your birth.”
usccb.org/nab/122407.shtml
Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=12&day=24&year=2007&x=5&y=8
Zechariah gave praise and worship to Yahweh, the faithful God who had come to save his people. He proclaimed that God has “raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant” (Luke 1:69), a Savior who would free God’s people from all their enemies (1:71). Zechariah’s son John would be the forerunner who would prepare Israel for its Savior. He would announce that the time had come for the destruction of Israel’s enemies.
Centuries earlier, King David had led Israel in the defeat of their enemies, the Philistines. Having ushered in an era of peace, David next turned his attention to building a temple for Yahweh—a place where the people could worship God and experience his presence among them. Now, before Zechariah’s eyes, God was preparing the way for a “son of David” who would bring a new freedom to the children of God. This time, it was not their political enemies but their spiritual enemies that this king would conquer. By his cross, Jesus has overcome every sin and all the work of the devil.
How marvelous is the plan of God! Just as David had to defeat Israel’s enemies before his son Solomon could build a temple, so too Jesus had to conquer our enemies before he could build the church. Jesus not only freed us from our enemies; he freed us for life with him. Delivered from all that once oppressed us, we can now relate with God as our Father and to be guided by him into a life of peace.
Today is Christmas Eve. Do you believe that Jesus is capable of giving you a sense of well-being, wholeness, and security? Do you believe that you are chosen and beloved of God?
As you prepare to celebrate the birth of your Deliverer tomorrow, try setting aside some extra time for prayer.
Bring to Jesus those things that are troubling you and ask him to deliver you. Let his light shine on you and bring you his profound peace.
“Jesus, you are my Savior and my Deliverer. I surrender my life and all its cares to you. Let your light and peace come to my loved ones and me as we celebrate the great event of your birth.”