Friends of the Rosary,
Merry and Holy Christmas!
Today, December 24, is Christmas Eve. We read in the Gospel (Luke 1:57-79) the Prayer of Zechariah at the birth of his son, John the Baptist.
This prayer, precious to priests and all those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours, is called the "Canticle of Zechariah" or the "Benedictus."
It sums up the whole history of salvation, with the God of Israel, as Zechariah prays, “has come to his people and set them free.”
"This is what God always wants to do. He hates the fact that we’ve become enslaved by sin and fear, and accordingly, he wants to liberate us. The central event of the Old Testament is an event of liberation from slavery. We are, as sinners, enslaved to our pride, our envy, our anger, our appetites, our greed, our lust—all of which wrap us up and keep us from being the people that we want to be," Bishop Barron comments.
God effects this liberation through the instrumentation of a mighty Savior.
Today, the liturgy of Christmas Eve is consecrated to the arrival of the Savior. Throughout Advent, we have seen how the preparation for Jesus' coming. Isaiah, John the Baptist, and the Virgin Mother appeared throughout the season, announcing and foretelling the coming of the King.
We learn today that Christ, according to His human nature, was born at Bethlehem of the House of David of the Virgin Mary. According to His divine nature, He is conceived of the Spirit of holiness, the Son of God, and the Second Person of the Trinity.
Christmas Eve is the time for exchanging gifts after the Christ-Child has been placed in the manger, reciting special prayers, singing Christmas carols, and attending, if possible, Midnight Mass!
Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
To Jesus through Mary!
+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York
