The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our celebration of the Incarnation and our attention to God with us.
The reading from the Second Book of Samuel is the Oracle of Nathan that expresses God’s Covenant with David.
* [7:8–16] The message Nathan delivers to David, called the Dynastic Oracle, is prompted by David’s intention to build a house (i.e., a temple) for the Lord, like David’s own house (i.e., palace) of cedar. David is told, in effect, not to bother building a house for the Lord; rather, the Lord will make a house for him—a dynasty, the House of David. Not only will he have descendants (v. 12) who will sit upon the throne of Israel (v. 13), their rule will last forever (vv. 13, 16); and even if they transgress the Lord’s commands, the line of David will never be removed from kingship as Saul was (cf. 1 Sm 13; 15). The oracle establishes the Davidic king as standing in relationship to the Lord as a son to a father (v. 14; cf. Ps 2:7; 89:27). The Dynastic Oracle, with cognate texts in the Scriptures, is the basis for Jewish expectations of an anointed king (1 Sm 12:3, 5), son of David (Mt 21:9); cf. Acts 2:30; Heb 1:5. (2 Samuel, CHAPTER 7, n.d.)
Psalm 89 praises God’s Covenant with David.
* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Ps 89:39–52). (Psalms, PSALM 89, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke is Zechariah’s Prophecy in a Canticle.
* [1:68–79] Like the canticle of Mary (Lk 1:46–55) the canticle of Zechariah is only loosely connected with its context. Apart from Lk 1:76–77, the hymn in speaking of a horn for our salvation (Lk 1:69) and the daybreak from on high (Lk 1:78) applies more closely to Jesus and his work than to John. Again like Mary’s canticle, it is largely composed of phrases taken from the Greek Old Testament and may have been a Jewish Christian hymn of praise that Luke adapted to fit the present context by inserting Lk 1:76–77 to give Zechariah’s reply to the question asked in Lk 1:66. (Luke, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Andy Alexander, S.J. (2014) comments that there still is time today. We can prepare for tonight and tomorrow. We can ask "Come, Lord, Jesus," in this moment. We can experience a longing in our hearts to know Jesus' love and mercy, and to feel a small "Rejoice," or even a really big one, flow from deep inside.
Let us approach the manger of our salvation tonight and tomorrow with great openness to the graces each of us can yet hope for and receive - for our own inner peace, and that we might bring peace to others in our lives, because of what we ourselves have embraced. (Alexander, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “My words will not pass away,” by an anonymous early author from the Greek church.
"'O forerunner of Christ!... O Baptist inspired by God! We glorify Christ who bowed his head before you in the Jordan and sanctified the nature of mortal humankind... O wise John the forerunner, you have looked down from the bank of the river upon the glory of the Father's Word, even the Son as he stood in the waters; and you have seen the Spirit descend as a dove, cleansing and enlightening the ends of the earth. To you the mystery of the Trinity was revealed; and to you we sing, honoring your divine festival.
"O Baptist and forerunner, strengthened by the divine grace of Christ you have shown us the lamb that takes away all the sins of the world (John 1:29,35-36), and with joy you have this day brought two disciples to him (John 1:35-42). Entreat him that peace and great mercy may be given to our souls." (excerpt from SYNAXIS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:67-79 comments that we all long to be at peace. Surely Zechariah pondered the promise of peace as he spent nine silent months alone with his thoughts. We know that because when Zechariah’s mouth was finally opened, he proclaimed that the Messiah, whom his son would serve, had come to lead us in paths of peace (Luke 1:79).
No doubt the most peaceful place to have been on that first Christmas Eve was at the manger. So tonight make the effort to spend some time there as well. Imagine the stillness of the scene. Mary and Joseph are nearby. The baby Jesus opens his eyes to look at you with an expression that says, “See how far I’ve come for you!” If only for this one moment, let him assure you that he is taking care of you. Then, in response, give him thanks and praise. Tell him that you love him. Let him fill you with the peace that sets your heart at rest and enables you to be an instrument of his peace in the world.
“Father, I rejoice that you have brought me peace through the coming of your Son, Jesus.” (Meditation on Luke 1:67-79, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the desire of David to keep the Ark of the Covenant in a palace that is comparable to the dwelling he has built for himself. Nathan is a messenger to inform David that He will not build a Temple for God possibly because of his shedding blood and being arrogant. Friar Jude reminds us how the Three Canticles in Luke’s Gospel fit well with the extraordinary events that he presents.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Jeannie Alexander, and Episcopal priest Claire Brown to contemplate listening on Christmas Eve.
Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. . . . He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.” —Luke 1:46–47, 52, Common English Bible
Today we practice listening to that body wisdom and prophecy. Find a quiet, comfortable position. Close your eyes, and bring your attention to your breath. Notice the places where your body rests: on your chair, feet on the floor, hands in your lap. Let the rhythm of your breath lead your attention across your body, starting from your toes and feet to your legs and knees; your seat, belly, and back; your arms, hands, and fingers; your chest, shoulders, and neck; your face and head. Spend time noticing where pressure, tension, or relaxation are in your body without rushing past, judging, disciplining, and fixing. Let your body speak its Advent prayer. [2] (Rohr, 2022)
We are invited today to pause and become aware of the place we find ourselves on the Eve of Christmas in our relationships with God and the community around us.
References
Alexander, A. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/122422.html
Luke, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1
Meditation on Luke 1:67-79. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/12/24/559430/
Psalms, PSALM 89. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89?2
Rohr, R. (2022, December 24). Incarnation: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/incarnation-weekly-summary-2022-12-24/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Nothing Is Impossible with God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=dec24
2 Samuel, CHAPTER 7. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/7?1
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