Homily for December 23

Readings: Mal 3:1-4,23-24; Ps 25; Lk 1:57-66
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Are you all prepared for Christmas? It's a busy time, isn't it? Lots of stuff to do and so little time to do it. But most of it really has little to do with what Christmas is really all about. So maybe the question we should be asking is, "Are you prepared spiritually for Christmas?"

That's what our readings today speak about -- preparation and the consequences of preparation -- fitting themes for the day before Christmas Eve. Each reading displays God’s graciousness as He provides opportunities and grace for getting prepared spiritually. Even the first reading, which speaks of the ominous consequences of not being prepared, ends with a statement of God’s desire to lead His people and change their hearts so they can avoid those consequences.

And the Psalm? Well, it reminds us of God’s grace and His willingness to teach and lead those who turn to Him, those who listen and follow.

Finally, the gospel passage form Luke describes the wonderful results of Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s preparation. We see them standing firm and doing God’s will in their lives, and doing so in a way that leads others to recognize the presence of God in their lives as well.

And so, in today’s encounter with God in Scripture, on this day before Christmas Eve, we come to see that the time for preparation is drawing to a close. We've been preparing throughout Advent. Now is the time to set our priorities and to act. Now is the time to decide how we will spend these last hours before they are gone. What matters most to us?  Can we ask for the guidance and grace we will need to spend these brief days in a way that recognizes the core realities of redemption and justice? Can the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah help us spend our time during these holy days with family and with others in perhaps a different, more meaningful, wa?


By praying the psalm can we develop a sense of gratitude for the ways that we have already seen redemption in our lives and in our families and give us hope for more to come? Can we open our minds to God’s Holy Word, allowing Him to teach us? Do you recall the words of the psalm? Can we make them our prayer today?

"Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior."

Can our reading from the prophet Malachi remind us of the need to let God have His way with us? Can we abandon ourselves to Him and His Divine Mercy, and allow Him to refine and purify us?

"For he is like the refiner’s fire..."

And in these final days before the coming of the Lord, do we need to turn our hearts towards our family, our children and grandchildren, in some new way, offering love and forgiveness and peace?

Does the proclamation of the gospel fill us with joy and hope? When you hear the gospel tell of the Lord’s redemptive act, do you almost burst with thankfulness?

Can we turn to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to fill our hearts and minds as He did for Zechariah and Elizabeth? Can we come to recognize Him as the only source of true joy and hope in the promises of our God, and invite Him into our hearts?

May this same Spirit of wisdom guide your readings and reflections this day – and may you have a blessed Christmas!