Daily Readings for December 24, 2015

1ST READING

God does not want a man with blood on his hands to be the builder of the Temple where He will dwell. David will have to leave this task to his son, Solomon. And Solomon will do a magnificent job. However, it is during Solomon’s time that the people of Israel begin to understand what it means to have a king in the image and likeness of other nations. There will be taxes to pay, armies to raise, and so on. Did they ever doubt the wisdom of choosing a monarchical structure for their nation?

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16

1 When King David was settled in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from his enemies on every side, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” 3 Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” 4 But that night the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: 5 “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Should you build me a house to dwell in? 8 “‘It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be  commander of my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. 10 I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, 11 since the time I first  appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. 12 And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his Kingdom firm. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. 16 Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’ ”

P S A L M

Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

R: Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

1 [2] The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. 2 [3] For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. (R) 3 [4] “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 4 [5] Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” (R) 26 [27] “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’ 28 [29] Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my  covenant with him stands firm.” (R)

GOSPEL

Zechariah’s prayer of thanksgiving and prophecy has become a part of the Church’s prayer life from ancient times. Known as the Benedictus, it is sung every morning in the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours. Let us reflect on our faith and the hope it instills in our hearts. Let us remember that our faith came at a price — the death of Jesus on the cross. Let us always treasure its blessings with immense gratitude and joy.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in the shadow of death.

Luke 1:67-79

67 Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. 69 He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. 70 Through his prophets he promised of old 71 that he would save us from our enemies, from the hand of all who hate us. 72 He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. 73 This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to set us free from the hand of enemies, free to worship him without fear, 75 holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. 76 You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, 78 in the tender of compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, 79 to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com