Christmas Eve

Opening Prayer

As I come into your presence, attune my heart to the whisperings of your wisdom, the promptings of your spirit, and the stillness of your peace.

Scripture

Luke 1:67-79

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty savior for us
in the house of his child David,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors
and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
in his presence all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Reflection

Zechariah bursts out in prayer in response to the birth of his son and proclaims Jesus to be the rising sun, who visits us with his light, a reflection of God’s mercy. He prophesies the coming of Jesus, this “most high” as a vulnerable child, who brings light to those in darkness and a guide in the way of peace. Last Christmas, I was in Cairo, and I was walking by a man lying on the ground in a very bad state, with my two-and-a-half-year-old grandchild. Looking at this man, she said, “Why is he lying there?” I replied —Because he is sick. “Why?” —Because he has no home. “Why?… Why?… Why?” I had no more answers. The next day, the man was gone, but there was a stain left on the pavement from his bodily fluid (there is no rain in Cairo). Death would have been a gift for that man. This mark and my grandchild’s questioning led me to reflect on what I can do to bring the light of a child’s eyes into the world (“To shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death…”). As parents and caregivers, we have the role of nurturing this inner light, providing the support and encouragement that helps it shine brightly. Christmas is the feast of Jesus, the light of life, and by spending time with God, we can become filled with his light. We can be alert and watchful of those in the shadow of death, showing and spreading kindness wherever we are. 

Reflection Prayer

Lord, fill me with the light of your love this Christmas.
May the wonder of a child’s gaze awaken compassion in me.
Help me to bring your light into the world – to those who are suffering, to those who need hope – and to shine with the warmth of your presence.

Concluding Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen.
St. Patrick’s Breastplate

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