Bible
Study: 2nd Samuel 7, 1 to 16. And Luke 1, 67 to 79.
In our
Gospel passage today, we come across that beautiful song which Zechariah sang
in thanksgiving to God for the release of his speech after he had named John
the Baptist. As we noted in yesterday’s Gospel passage, this song is also known
as the Canticle of Zechariah. It is a song which apart from praising God for
his work of redemption, also prophesies what exactly would become of John the
Baptist.
There is a
line in that Canticle of Zechariah which I found worth reflecting upon.
Zechariah said: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and
redeemed his people.” Indeed, when we compare the number of years that Jesus
lived on earth to the entire history of the world, we cannot but realize that
Jesus’ life was actually a visit to mankind. Christmas is a celebration of the
very beginnings of this visit and that is why it is also a season of joy.
The birth
of Jesus changed everything. With Jesus in the picture, the story of man would
never be the same again. It is not surprising that even our calendar begins
from Jesus. When we time events in history, it is either before Christ (BC) or
After Christ’s death (AD). For instance, this is year 2016 meaning this is two
thousand and sixteen years after the death of Christ. Christ’s life which
Zechariah defines as a visit was no ordinary visit. It was a visit that the
world would never forget.
Just as
Christ visited us, we too are called to visit one another this Christmas. Let
us remember that we are the hands and foots of Christ. Wherever we go this
period, let us not just be so concerned about eating and drinking. Rather let
us go as Christ himself would go bringing peace, joy, forgiveness and spreading
the truth. Whoever you decide to visit this period, begin that visit with
prayer, talk about Christ and ensure you end the visit also with prayer.
One person
who visited in the Old Testament was David. He went to Nathan the prophet and
discovered that the Ark of God has not building of its own. It was like the
Blessed Sacrament being kept under a canopy. When he compared it with his own
house, he felt ashamed and said: “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the
ark of God dwells in a tent.” He expressed his desire to build the house of God
and Nathan gave him go-ahead.
However that
very night, God said to Nathan to let David know he would not be the one to
build the Church. But for expressing his desire to build, God showered blessings
on David and upon his descendants for ever. It is not surprising that Jesus
would eventually be called Son of David. David did not build God a house but
for having the mind to build at all, God chose to be born of the house of David
when he was coming to visit and redeem mankind.
Where are
you planning to visit this period? And what do you intend to do when you see
some need there? Would you say it is not your business and move on with your
life? Or would you like David have the mind to do something? Is your visit only
about what you can get from the person you are going to see or do you make room
to also give to others as you visit? Jesus came to visit mankind and till this
day, we are still gathering the blessings of that visit. Please never go empty
handed when you go to visit.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, visit me today and always that wherever I visit I may bring
you along. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you and Merry Christmas in advance.
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