Advent Weekday on December 23

• First Reading – Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24: The Lord announces sending a messenger to prepare His way. The Lord’s arrival will be a time of refining and purification, particularly for the Levites, ensuring that sacrifices please Him as in ancient times. Elijah will return before this great day.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25: I ask the LORD to make His ways known to me, to teach me His paths. Guide me in Your truth, O God my Savior. You are good and upright, leading sinners and the humble in justice, showing Your ways of kindness to those who honor Your covenant.
• Gospel – Luke 1:57-66: Elizabeth gave birth to a son, and her community rejoiced at God’s mercy. Contrary to tradition, she insisted he be named John. Zechariah, confirming this name on a tablet, miraculously regained his speech, praising God. This event inspired awe and speculation about John’s destined role, recognizing God’s presence in his life.

So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, ‘John is his name’, and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.

Luke 1:62-64

Themes for an Advent Weekday on December 23

The readings for an Advent Weekday on December 23 emphasize God’s preparation and promise. Both passages point to significant events leading to the fulfillment of God’s plan, reminding us of His faithful presence and purpose.

• God’s Messenger is Sent: In Malachi, God promises to send a messenger to prepare the way for the Lord. This highlights God’s plan to announce His coming and call people to readiness.
• Purification for Holiness: Malachi speaks of God refining and purifying His people, much like refining gold or silver. This shows the need for purification before standing in God’s presence, reminding us to seek holiness.
• Restoring Relationships: Malachi describes the restoration of relationships between generations. This indicates that God’s coming brings healing, unity, and renewed family bonds.
• Fulfillment of God’s Promises: In Luke’s Gospel, John the Baptist’s birth is a sign of God’s fulfilled promises. This reveals how God keeps His word, even when it takes time and unfolds unexpectedly.
• Joy in New Beginnings: John’s birth brings great joy to Elizabeth, Zechariah, and their community. This joy symbolizes the new hope and life that come with God’s work and the arrival of His chosen servant.
• God’s Name Brings Identity: Zechariah insists on naming his son John, as the angel instructed. This emphasizes that identity and mission come from God, not from human tradition or expectation.

These themes for an Advent Weekday on December 23 invite us to reflect on God’s ongoing preparation, promise, and purification in our lives. They encourage us to welcome God’s work with joy, trust, and a desire for holiness.

The readings for an Advent Weekday on December 23 bring messages of hope, obedience, and fulfilled promises. As we approach the end of Advent, these reflections invite us to consider the ways God’s presence can restore relationships, shape our identity, and fulfill His promises in our lives. They remind us that God’s plans unfold with purpose, even in the midst of waiting.

Restoring Relationships Across Generations

The reading from Malachi on an Advent Weekday on December 23 emphasizes the coming of a messenger who will restore relationships between parents and children. This message shows that God’s arrival brings healing and unity, mending family bonds that may have been strained. It is a promise that when God enters into our lives, He also seeks to bring harmony and peace in our families.

The Gospel about John’s birth can be seen in this light as well. John is born into a family that had experienced disappointment and longing for many years. His arrival not only fulfills God’s promise to Zechariah and Elizabeth, but also brings great joy to their extended family and neighbors. The joy and unity brought by John’s birth highlight God’s desire for reconciliation and stronger family ties.

These readings remind us of the need to nurture our own family relationships, seeking peace and understanding where there may be division. As we prepare for Jesus’ coming, we are invited to reach out, forgive, and reconcile with one another, mirroring the restoration that God desires for us.

God-Given Identity and Mission

In the Gospel reading for an Advent Weekday on December 23, Zechariah’s insistence on naming his son John is a powerful moment. It shows his obedience to God’s command, even though it goes against the usual family tradition. By following God’s instructions, Zechariah recognizes that John’s identity and mission come from God, not from human customs or expectations.

The naming of John also signifies a new beginning. John’s role will be to prepare the way for Jesus, emphasizing that God’s plan goes beyond human understanding. His name, meaning “God is gracious,” is a reminder that God’s gifts are freely given and not determined by our traditions or desires.

This reading challenges us to reflect on our own identity and purpose. We are reminded that God has a specific plan for each of us, and it may not always align with what others expect. The call is to listen closely to God’s guidance and be ready to follow His path, even if it means stepping outside familiar boundaries.

The Joy of God’s Promises Fulfilled

The readings for an Advent Weekday on December 23 share a theme of fulfilled promises. Malachi speaks of a messenger who will prepare the people for God’s coming, and the Gospel recounts the birth of John, who will prepare the way for Jesus. Both readings highlight how God’s promises are fulfilled in unexpected but meaningful ways.

The joy expressed by Zechariah and Elizabeth at John’s birth is a sign of God’s faithfulness. Their story reminds us that even when God’s timing seems slow, He never forgets His promises. The arrival of John, after years of waiting, shows that God’s plans unfold according to His wisdom, bringing unexpected blessings and hope.

These readings encourage us to trust in God’s promises, even when we do not see immediate results. They call us to remain hopeful and patient, knowing that God works in His own time and way. The fulfillment of God’s promises brings joy, and we are invited to welcome that joy into our hearts, preparing for Jesus’ birth.

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The themes for an Advent Weekday on December 23 encourage us to embrace God’s guidance, both in our personal journey and in our relationships with others. As we prepare to welcome Jesus, let us remember the importance of trust, obedience, and openness to God’s work in our lives. May this Advent help us grow closer to Him and to those around us.

Prayer

Lord, as we reflect on Your promises this Advent, open our hearts to Your love and guidance. Help us to listen, obey, and trust in Your plans. Strengthen our relationships, renew our faith, and lead us in Your ways, bringing joy to our lives. Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. How can you work toward restoring strained relationships in your life?
2. In what ways have you experienced God’s guidance shaping your identity or purpose?
3. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust in God’s timing?
4. How can you bring joy to others as you prepare to welcome Jesus?

Word on Fire: Liberation from Slavery

In his reflection for the Advent Weekday on December 23, Bishop Barron focuses on the Canticle of Zechariah. He highlights two significant lines: “God has come to his people and set them free” and “He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.” Barron interprets these lines as God’s desire to liberate humanity from the slavery of sin, such as pride, envy, anger, and greed. The ‘mighty Savior’ from David’s lineage signifies the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel, with Zechariah prophesying the eternal reign of David’s descendant, thereby connecting Jesus’ coming to Israel’s history and God’s plan of salvation.

USCCB Reflection: Savor the Journey

This USCCB video reflection for the Advent Weekday on December 23 points out that in the final days of Advent, the focus shifts from anticipating Jesus’ second coming to celebrating his birth. This period is marked by childlike excitement and reflection on the Creed’s words about Jesus’ incarnation. John the Baptist’s birth and mission, prophesied by Zachariah, symbolize the dawn breaking upon those in darkness. Pope Francis calls us to emulate John the Baptist, sharing the joy of the Gospel and guiding others towards peace. This season is a reminder to share the good news of Jesus, the light in our darkness, and to walk in the way of peace, celebrating God’s closeness to humanity.

What are the Mass readings for an Advent Weekday on December 23?

The Mass readings for an Advent Weekday on December 23 are:
First Reading – Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24: The Coming of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25: Guidance in the Lord’s Ways
Gospel – Luke 1:57-66: John’s Birth and Naming

What is the meaning of the messenger in Malachi in the first reading for an Advent Weekday on December 23?

The messenger represents someone sent by God to prepare people for His coming. This reminds us to be open to change and ready to receive God’s message in our lives.

Why is purification mentioned in Malachi?

Purification symbolizes making hearts ready to meet God. Just as gold is refined, we are called to let God purify us through repentance and a desire for holiness.

Why does Malachi talk about restoring family bonds?

Restoration of family bonds reflects the peace and unity God brings. It encourages us to seek healing in our relationships and work toward harmony.

Why is John the Baptist’s birth important in the Gospel for an Advent Weekday on December 23?

John’s birth is part of God’s promise to prepare the way for Jesus. His birth is a sign that God keeps His promises and has a plan for salvation.

Why was it important to name the child John?

The name John was given by God through the angel, showing God’s purpose for him. It reminds us that God gives each of us an identity and mission.

What lesson can we learn from Zechariah’s response in the Gospel?

Zechariah obeyed God’s instruction despite tradition, teaching us to prioritize God’s guidance. It shows the importance of listening to God’s will, even when it challenges our expectations.

How can we apply the message of joy in these readings for an Advent Weekday on December 23?

The joy of John’s birth invites us to rejoice in God’s work in our lives. We can share this joy by celebrating God’s blessings with others.

What does it mean to prepare for God’s coming, as mentioned in these readings?

Preparing for God’s coming means opening our hearts, turning away from sin, and being ready to welcome Jesus. It involves prayer, repentance, and acts of kindness toward others.

How does God’s plan unfold in these readings for an Advent Weekday on December 23?

God’s plan unfolds gradually through messages, promises, and events. It reminds us to trust God’s timing and be patient as His plan comes to completion.