HOMILY FOR 24TH DECEMBER

HOMILY FOR 24TH DECEMBER

HOMILY THEME: You, little child, shall be the prophet of the Most High.

BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA

2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16, Psalm 88:2-5,27,29, Luke 1:67-79

*INTRODUCTION*
Dear friends in Christ, as we celebrate the last mass of this years Advent Season, both readings of this morning, remind us that God’s purpose for our lives is always much more wonderful than anything we could ask for or imagine and this is good news for all of us.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY FOR 24TH DECEMBER

*FROM THE FIRST READING*
In today’s first reading, King David had in mind to do something worthwhile for God. He was going to build an impressive dwelling place to house the ark of the covenant. However, he came to understand through the prophet Nathan that this was not what God wanted. God had much bigger plans. Nathan declared to David that God would make a house for David, rather than David making a house for God. God would establish David’s house, in the sense of David’s household, David’s lineage. God would see to it that one of David’s descendants would rule forever. God would relate to this descendant as father to son. The early church understood this prophecy to have been fulfilled with the birth of Jesus who was a descendant of David through Joseph. What God intended was so much more than David could have foreseen.

RELATED: HOMILY FOR 24TH DECEMBER

*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
Today’s gospel reading is the prayer of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. His prayer has become part of the church’s prayer. It is prayed every morning as part of the church’s Morning Prayer. Zechariah prayed his prayer in response to the birth of his son, John the Baptist. He had come to recognize that his son would have a special role in God’s purpose. His son would go before Jesus to prepare the way for him. Jesus is spoken of in his prayer as the rising Sun who comes from on high to visit us, to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death.

*CONCLUSION*
As we look upon the rising sun we thing of Jesus who has come to visit us form on high and who remains with us until the end of time. Zechariah celebrates this rising sun as the manifestation of the tender mercy of our God. At Christmas we call on Jesus, the rising Sun, to shed the light of God’s loving mercy into the dark areas of our lives. We position ourselves beneath the rays of the light of God’s mercy and love that shines upon us through Jesus, Emmanuel. In gratitude for that rising Sun from on high, like Zechariah, we praise and bless God who has visited all people in this life-giving way.
The Lord be with You!

FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>

Dear friends in Christ, We have been sustained by your Charity for the past 11years. Here we are saddled with annual bills. Please, be kind to us with your donation. Click on the “Donate” button to get started. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!