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Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 / Luke
1:57-66
Reflection
Elizabeth gives birth. The neighbors
and relatives rejoice with her; the barren woman has borne a son! Eight days
later, they gather for the circumcision and naming ceremony. Everyone assumes
the baby will be named Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth speaks up:
"No. He will be called John." The relatives protest: "But there
is no one among your relatives who has this name!" They turn to Zechariah
for the final decision. Remember, Zechariah has been mute for nine months
because he doubted Gabriel's announcement. He asks for a writing tablet and writes,
"His Name is John." Immediately, his mouth opens, and his
tongue is freed, and he begins praising God. The neighbors are filled with awe.
Fear comes upon them all. Throughout the hill country of Judea, people ask,
"What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with
him." John's very birth and naming proclaim God's power. Malachi had
prophesied this moment: "Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way
before me." That messenger is John. The one who will prepare hearts for
the Lord. The one whose name means "God is gracious." Two days until
Christmas. Two days until John's whole purpose is revealed, to point to Jesus
and say, "Behold, the Lamb of God."
Today's O Antiphon is the last one:
"O Emmanuel", O God with us. How fitting that on the day we celebrate
John's birth, we proclaim Emmanuel. Because John's entire life will be about
preparing the way for Emmanuel. Malachi continues: "And suddenly there
will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, and the messenger of the
covenant whom you desire." The Lord is coming to His temple. The messenger
of the covenant, that's Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. And John is the voice
that prepares the way. Zechariah couldn't speak for nine months. When he
finally speaks, he praises God. He named his son John, God is gracious, because
God IS gracious. Despite Zechariah's doubt, despite his silence, despite his
inability to believe an angel standing right in front of him, God gave him the
son He promised. God kept His word. And now Zechariah won't stop praising. The
neighbors are in awe because they recognize God's hand at work. "What will
this child be?" Good question. He'll be the greatest prophet. The voice
crying in the wilderness. The one who baptizes with water and points to the One
who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. He'll be beheaded in Herod's prison for
speaking the truth. But first, he'll be the messenger who announces Emmanuel.
Two days until Christmas. Two days
until the Lord comes to His temple, not the temple in Jerusalem, but the temple
of human hearts. Two days until Emmanuel breaks into history. Malachi warned
that the messenger's coming would be like refiner's fire and fuller's lye, purifying,
cleansing, making ready. That's what John will do. That's what John's birth
announces. God is gracious. God keeps His promises. God is coming. And nothing,
not Zechariah's doubt, not Elizabeth's barrenness, not nine months of forced
silence, can stop God's plan. The neighbors ask, "What will this child
be?" We know. We've seen the whole story. John will prepare the way. He'll
announce Emmanuel. He'll decrease so Jesus can increase. He'll say, "I
must decrease; he must increase." And in two days, we'll hold the One John
pointed to. In two days, Emmanuel, God with us, will be born. Today we
celebrate the messenger. In two days, we celebrate the Message. His name is
John. His purpose is Jesus. O Emmanuel, come.
Franciscan
Reflection
Francis understood what it meant to be
like John, to prepare the way, to decrease so Christ could increase, to point
beyond yourself to Jesus. When people started following Francis, calling him
holy, seeking his wisdom, Francis would redirect them: "Look at Christ,
not at me. I'm just pointing the way." Like John, Francis knew his job was
to make Jesus known, not to make himself famous. When the Franciscan movement
grew, and people wanted to make it about Francis, he stepped back. He resigned
as leader. He decreased. Because it was never about Francis. It was about
Jesus. John's whole life was preparation for Jesus. Francis's whole life was a proclamation of Jesus. Both understood we're messengers, not the Message. This
is why I love being a Franciscan, living my life to the best of my ability like
Francis did. We're living our lives fully surrendered; we are not the
destination. We're John, not Jesus. And that's exactly who we're supposed to
be. In two days, we celebrate Emmanuel. Today, we celebrate those who point to
Emmanuel. Are you pointing people to Jesus, or to yourself?
For
Your Reflection
Take your time. These Reflection
Questions are intended to help you deepen your thoughts about each day's focus.
About Zechariah's Silence:
- Zechariah was silent for nine months for doubting.
What has God been teaching you through silence or waiting?
- When Zechariah could finally speak, he praised
God. What's the first thing you'll say when God breaks your silence?
- Zechariah wrote, "John is his name", and
immediately could speak. Obedience frees us. Where do you need to obey to
be freed?
About Elizabeth's Boldness:
- Elizabeth defied tradition by naming her son John.
Where is God asking you to defy expectations to obey Him?
- "No one among your relatives has this
name." Sometimes God's call breaks family patterns. Are you willing
to be different?
- The relatives questioned her choice until
Zechariah confirmed it. Do you need others' approval before you obey God?
About John's Purpose:
- "What will this child be?" God had a
plan for John before he was born. Do you believe God has a plan for you?
- John's name means "God is gracious." How
has God been gracious to you?
- John prepared the way for Jesus. How is your life
preparing others to encounter Jesus?
About O Emmanuel:
- This is the last O Antiphon. Tomorrow is Christmas
Eve. Is your heart ready for Emmanuel?
- "God with us" is coming in two days.
Where do you need God with you right now?
- John's whole purpose was to point to Emmanuel.
What's your purpose?
Praying
the Sorrowful Mysteries
As you pray the rosary today, see
John's life of preparation leading to Jesus' sacrifice:
The Agony in the Garden - John prepared the way. Jesus walked it all the way to
Gethsemane.
The Scourging - John called people to repentance. Jesus bore the
punishment for our sins.
The Crown of Thorns - John proclaimed the coming King. Jesus wore the crown of
thorns.
Carrying the Cross - John decreased. Jesus carried the cross that increases
our salvation.
The Crucifixion - John said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." On the
cross, the Lamb was slain for us.
The Sorrowful Mysteries show us where
John's message leads, to the cross, to sacrifice, to Emmanuel suffering with us
and for us. John prepared the way. Jesus completed it.
A
Quiet Challenge
This week, be like John. Point people
to Jesus.
When someone compliments you, redirect
to Jesus. When someone asks for advice, point them to Scripture. When someone
needs help, serve them in Jesus' name and give Him the glory.
Decrease so Jesus can increase. Make
your life an example that points beyond yourself to Emmanuel.
John's name meant "God is
gracious." Let your life show that God is gracious. Not through your
words, but through your choices, your service, your love.
Two days until Christmas. Are you
preparing the way?
Closing
Pray this with John's purpose:
"O Emmanuel, O God with us, You
are coming. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. The next day, we celebrate Your birth.
But today we celebrate John, the one who prepared Your way. Lord, make me like
John. Give me his boldness to speak Your truth. Give me his humility to point
beyond myself. Give me his purpose, to prepare hearts for You. Zechariah was
silent until he obeyed. Break my silence with obedience. Elizabeth defied
tradition to follow Your will. Give me the courage to obey even when it's
unconventional. John's whole life was preparation for You. Let my life prepare
others to encounter You. I am not the Light. I am not the Messiah. I am not the
Message. But I can point to You. I can say 'Behold!' I can decrease so You can
increase. O Emmanuel, come. Two days. We're ready. Or as ready as we'll ever
be. Come, Lord Jesus. Come. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Then ask:
- What has God been teaching me through silence or
waiting?
- Am I leading people to Jesus or inviting Him into
my own life?
- Is my life an example that directs others to
Emmanuel?
Two days until Christmas. John is
born. Emmanuel is coming. The messenger has arrived. The Message is almost
here.
His name is John. His purpose is
Jesus. His message is: Prepare the way of the Lord. Be like John and Mama Mary,
always directing us to Jesus.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
December 23, 2025
A Franciscan Reflection
©2025 James Dacey, Jr., OFS
