He Has Come
December 24th + Christmas Eve
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 1:67-79 – Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Zechariah is happily prophesying at the birth of his son, John. Numerous times he brings up a promise, or covenant, that God had made with His people. And here in the Gospel, after numerous generations and hundreds of years, the time has arrived for God to come and dwell among His people. It is like the dawn breaking after the longest night of darkness in the shadow of death.
God comes to us out of mercy. We carved for ourselves a dark world and certain death because of sin. But God saw us “cast to the ground, perishing, tyrannized over by Death, and He had compassion on us” (St. John Chrysostom (c.347-407) Homily 5, 1-2 on the Epistle to the Hebrews). In his tender compassion, He comes to give mankind salvation “by the forgiveness of their sins.” With overwhelming thankfulness in prayer, let’s consider how our great misery is overcome by His triumphant, greater mercy!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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