Advent Weekday on December 24

• First Reading – 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16: God promises David that his kingdom will be established forever. His descendants will rule, and God will be a father to them. David’s legacy and throne will endure for all time.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 89: Forever, I will proclaim the Lord’s kindness and declare His faithfulness. His promise to David stands firm, and His love will never fail. The Lord is my Father and my salvation.
• Gospel – Luke 1:67-79: The Lord has come to save his people, fulfilling promises made to our ancestors. He raises a Savior, and my child will prepare the way, bringing light and peace to those in darkness.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free.

Luke 1:68

On the Advent weekday on December 24, the readings from 2 Samuel and the Gospel of Luke show God’s promises and His faithfulness to His people. These readings prepare us for the birth of Jesus, reminding us of God’s love and the coming of the Messiah.

• God’s Promise to David: In 2 Samuel, God makes a promise to David that his kingdom will last forever. This points to Jesus, the descendant of David, who will be the eternal King.
• God’s Faithfulness: The readings highlight how God keeps His promises. His plan for salvation, through David’s line, shows His commitment to us.
• The Coming of the Messiah: Zechariah’s song in Luke speaks of the Savior who will redeem His people. This reminds us that Advent is a time of waiting for the Messiah’s coming.
• God’s Mercy: Zechariah praises God for His mercy in sending the Messiah to save His people. This mercy is a key theme as we prepare for Christ’s birth.
• Fulfillment of Prophecy: The connection between the Old Testament promise to David and the Gospel shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy. Advent points to God’s plan coming to completion.
• Hope for Salvation: Zechariah’s song speaks of salvation and freedom from fear. During Advent, we reflect on the hope that Jesus brings to the world.

The readings on December 24 remind us of God’s love and the fulfillment of His promises. As we prepare for Christmas, we are called to trust in God’s plan and look forward with hope to Jesus’ birth.

On the Advent weekday on December 24, we reflect on the readings that remind us of God’s promises and His faithfulness. Through the promise to David and Zechariah’s song, we see how God’s plan unfolds over time, leading to the coming of Jesus. These reflections help us prepare for the birth of the Savior and strengthen our hope in God’s promises.

God’s Promise to David

In the first reading on the Advent weekday on December 24, God promises David that his kingdom will last forever. David was a great king, but this promise looks forward to something much bigger than his own rule. God was telling David that his family line would continue forever, leading to the birth of Jesus.

This promise is important for us because it shows how God always has a plan. Even though many years passed between David and Jesus, God’s plan never failed. The coming of Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise, and Jesus is the King who will reign forever.

As we reflect on this reading, we can remember that God is always working for our good, even when we don’t see it right away. Like David, we can trust that God’s promises will come true in His time. The Advent weekday on December 24 helps us focus on the eternal kingdom of Jesus and the hope that He brings.

Waiting for the Messiah

The Gospel reading for an Advent weekday on December 24 features Zechariah’s song of praise. In it, Zechariah speaks about the Savior who will come to redeem His people. This is a reminder that Advent is a season of waiting and expectation for the Messiah’s coming.

Zechariah had waited a long time to see the fulfillment of God’s promises. When he spoke these words, he was filled with hope and joy because he knew that salvation was near. Advent teaches us to wait patiently and faithfully, knowing that God always fulfills His promises.

As we prepare for Christmas, we can learn from Zechariah’s example. His trust in God’s timing and his faith in God’s plan remind us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Savior who is coming into the world. On the Advent weekday on December 24, we are called to reflect on the joy and hope of waiting for the Messiah.

God’s Faithfulness

One theme that connects both the first reading and the Gospel on the Advent weekday on December 24 is the faithfulness of God. In the first reading, God promises David that his kingdom will last forever. In the Gospel, Zechariah celebrates the fulfillment of that promise with the coming of the Messiah.

God’s faithfulness is clear in both readings. He made a promise to David, and even though it took many generations, God kept His word by sending Jesus. Zechariah’s song shows how much joy comes from recognizing God’s faithfulness and understanding that God never forgets His promises.

In our own lives, it can be hard to wait for God’s plans to unfold. Sometimes, it feels like God has forgotten us. But the Advent weekday on December 24 reminds us that God is always faithful, even if we don’t see it right away. We can trust that He will fulfill His promises in His perfect time.

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The Advent weekday on December 24 calls us to remember God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises through Jesus. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we are invited to trust in God’s plan and wait with hope. These reflections remind us of the eternal kingdom of Jesus and the joy of His coming.

Prayer

Loving Father, as we reflect on Your promises and Your faithfulness, help us to trust in Your plan. Open our hearts to receive the joy and hope that come with the birth of Jesus. Guide us as we wait for His coming and fill us with peace. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does God’s promise to David in the first reading encourage me to trust in God’s plans for my life?
• What can I learn from Zechariah’s response to God’s faithfulness in the Gospel reading?
• In what ways can I grow in patience and hope as I wait for God’s promises to be fulfilled?
• How can I prepare my heart for the coming of Jesus during this Advent season?

Word on Fire: Jesus Fulfills God’s Promises

In his reflection for the Advent weekday on December 24, Bishop Robert Barron explains how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament’s hopes for salvation. He shows that Jesus, as Yahweh, accomplished four key tasks: gathering Israel’s tribes, cleansing the temple, defeating the nation’s enemies, and reigning as Lord.

The first Christians were surprised by how Jesus fulfilled these in unexpected ways. Through Him, God brought salvation not only to Israel but to the entire world. Bishop Barron highlights how understanding this helps us see Jesus’ words and actions more clearly in light of the Old Testament.

What are the Mass readings for an Advent Weekday on December 24?

The Mass readings for December 24 are:
First Reading  – 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16: God’s Promise to David
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 89: Singing of God’s Faithfulness
Gospel – Luke 1:67-79: Zechariah’s Prophecy

What does God promise David in the first reading on an Advent weekday on December 24?

God promises David that his kingdom will last forever. This means that Jesus, who comes from David’s family line, will be the eternal King.

How does the promise to David connect?

God’s promise to David shows that Jesus is the King who will reign forever. Advent reminds us that we are waiting for this King, Jesus, to come.

What does the first reading teach us about God’s faithfulness?

The reading shows that God keeps His promises. He promised a lasting kingdom to David, and He fulfilled this through Jesus.

What is the message of Zechariah’s song in the Gospel for an Advent weekday on December 24?

Zechariah praises God for sending a Savior to redeem His people. It reminds us that Jesus is coming to save us from sin.

Why is God’s mercy important in the readings?

God’s mercy is important because He shows love by sending Jesus to rescue us. We are reminded that God cares for us and offers us forgiveness.

How can we apply the readings for an Advent weekday on December 24 to our lives?

We can trust in God’s promises, knowing that He is faithful. Like the people in the readings, we can wait with hope for Jesus’ coming.

What does the Gospel reading tell us about hope?

Zechariah’s song speaks of hope for salvation. It teaches us that we can look forward to Jesus’ coming with hope and joy.

How does this prepare us for Christmas?

The readings help us reflect on God’s promises and His plan for salvation. They remind us to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus.