A Reflection for Christmas Eve
Yow will discover today’s readings here.
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free.” (Lk 1:67)
“Yes, Virginia,” to paraphrase the famous old letter, “there may be a reading for Saturday of the Fourth Week of Advent, also referred to as December 24, also referred to as Christmas Eve.” In other words, before the Christmas Eve liturgy tonight, there may be actually a separate reading for the day’s Mass, and it’s a stunning one, which we must always not overlook.
It’s often called the Canticle of Zechariah, and is a daily a part of the breviary. Just a little backstory: Zechariah is a priest and elder of the Jewish people and, nine months earlier, was struck dumb when he asked a matter of an angel.
For those who were to write down your individual canticle for the past 12 months, or even perhaps your whole life, what would it not sound like?
The angel had told him that his wife Elizabeth, who had been regarded as past child-bearing years, was going to have a baby. In response, Zechariah says, “How shall I do know this?” Presumably for his expression of disbelief, he’s struck dumb. Interestingly, when Mary receives her news from the Angel Gabriel, concerning the upcoming birth of her Jesus, she questions too. But she, unlike Zechariah, gets a solution. We will suppose that the older Zechariah must have known higher.
But once Zechariah’s son is born, his tongue is loosened and he sings his marvelous song of praise to God. On this, he’s like Mary, whose first words after her encounter with the Angel, spoken to Elizabeth, are also a song of praise. That is referred to as Mary’s Magnificat (taken from the primary word in Latin of her song of praise). In each canticles, they praise not only what God has done for them, but for the entire people of Israel. And it is especially about freedom. God has freed his people, they each say.
So, on Christmas Eve, in the midst of either frantic preparations, or perhaps stress over some family turmoil, and even disappointment at loneliness, it’s time to ask ourselves: What would our songs of praise seem like? For those who were to write down your individual canticle for the past 12 months, or even perhaps your whole life, what would it not sound like? How has God “freed” you? Can you are taking a moment for yourself and spend even just a few seconds in prayer? Start with the words “Blessed be the Lord,” and see where that leads you. May God who freed humanity with the gift of Jesus, at all times be present in your lives.
Get to know James Martin, S.J., Editor at Large
Favorite Advent or Christmas themed art? (Is usually a song, film, visual art, etc.)
Favorite Christmas tradition?
I like listening to the Kings College Choir Christmas service from Cambridge, England, as they start with “Once in Royal David’s City.”
Which project are you most proud to have worked on this 12 months at America?
Helping to begin Outreach, an LGBTQ Catholic resource online, together with my colleagues Ryan Di Corpo and Jai Sen. I’m so grateful for the support of America Media, of which Outreach is a proud part.
Favorite Christmas recipe?
My mom’s famous Sicilian meat stuffing!
Favorite Christmas photo?
Ho ho ho! Christmas, circa 1968, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. (Note the cool decorations across the road: that’s an enormous plastic Santa on the front of the home and the front window is wrapped up with an enormous red bow. Merry Christmas from the Nineteen Sixties!
