Preparing the Way
Gospel Reflection for Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 - Luke 1:57-66
In today’s Gospel we are witness to a beautiful moment in salvation history. The son of Zachariah and Elizabeth is to be named.
It seems like a straight forward process — tradition dictates that the child should be named after his father. Yet, both Elizabeth and Zachariah affirm the Lord’s intentions. This child is to be named John.
The confirmation comes when Zachariah obediently agrees to the name, and his lips are loosened.
There are so many miracles in today’s scripture: A barren woman of advanced age bears a child. A man who is now mute has speech again. A child is claimed by the Lord for great things. These miracles caused fear to creep into the hearts of all who witnessed these events and they knew the Lord was acting.
But, as we approach Christmas what does this story have to do with us?
Everything.
We have all been that barren woman, barren of hope, barren of energy, barren of trust, barren of faith. Likewise, we have all been the mute man, hesitant in belief, disobedient to the Lord, unsure of how to pray when words fail.
And yet, through these insurmountable challenges, God makes a way to Himself. In Today’s Gospel we are reminded of the faithfulness of God. That barrenness isn’t the end, that silence isn’t permanent. That God works precisely in these places, not waiting for us to be ready, capable, or certain, but asking only for our participation in His grace.
Elizabeth trusted the word spoken over her child. Zachariah, once hesitant, chose obedience when it mattered most. In that simple act “John is his name.” life, speech and praise were restored.
As Christmas approaches, we are invited to see this scene, not only as something that happened in the past, but as a promise fulfilled in our own lives — today. That the Christ child is coming. That hope can be restored. That life everlasting is unfolding before us, right now. And that the Lord is working behind the scenes, always, for our good.
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
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.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”
Very moving and beautiful.