By Lisa M. Hendey

“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 knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
through the tender mercy of our God,
when the day shall dawn upon us from on high…” ~ Luke 1:76-78

Along with our Christmas Eve gift giving, our holiday traditions when I was a child included the annual production of our family “Christmas play”. The play initially began as a simple retelling of the Nativity story for our grandparents. Daddy gathered us children around the children’s Bible and assigned our roles. We read the Bible passages about the birth of Christ and learned our parts. A simple script was written in the first year, and those same lines were delivered for the following two decades when the play continued to be “performed” with the audience expanding to include friends and neighbors.

The play’s opening scene began with the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary with the Good News of the Annunciation. The grand finale gathered all of us players around the “creche” (a laundry basket) as we burst into song.

You Will Be Called Prophet

One of my favorite scenes was always the recounting of the birth of John the Baptist. My younger brother Patrick, the quintessential middle child, always portrayed Zechariah in our play. So when I read this passage of Luke’s gospel, my mind immediately hears these words in Patrick’s voice. Now, when I pray Morning Prayer as part of the Liturgy of the Hours, Zechariah’s canticle reminds me to give praise and thanksgiving for the coming of our Savior daily, not simply during the Christmas season.

Zechariah, who had been struck mute during his wife Elizabeth’s pregnancy for having doubted God’s mercy and generosity, surely used his time of silence to attune himself to God’s will. He ended his imposed quiet time with this tremendous song of praise, anticipating the coming of the Messiah.

We, too, have quieted our hearts during the Advent season in the hope of preparing ourselves to welcome Jesus. We prepare his way in our own little ways, through the love we shower upon those around us and those most in need. By merit of our baptism as “priest, prophet, and king”, we too are called to live as prophets of the Most High. In the same way that God chose John the Baptist, the son of Zechariah, to announce Christ’s coming, God chooses us–not only at Christmas but every day of our lives–to make straight the paths that lead others into the fullness and grace of his unconditional love.

Prayer:

Saint John the Baptist, help me to follow your example of self-giving dedication to the telling of the greatest story ever told, the Good News of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Call to Action:

As we begin the Christmas season, commit to praying the Canticle of Zechariah regularly during your morning prayer. Hold close to your heart these tender words which remind us that our Heavenly Father loves us every moment of every day.

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