19 December
3rd Day of Christmas Novena
Gospel Luke 1:5-25
“Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard”. These words spoken by the angel Gabriel to Zechariah carry a profound and timeless message, offering us guidance as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ this Christmas. The angel’s message is deeply reassuring. It reminds us that our prayers, even those whispered in moments of doubt or despair, are always heard by God. As we journey through the Christmas novena, these words challenge us to reflect on the state of our own hearts. Are we carrying fears, anxieties, or uncertainties about the future? Like Zechariah, we may find it hard to believe that God is working behind the scenes, answering our prayers in ways we may not yet understand. But the angel’s message invites us to let go of fear and fill our hearts instead with courage and hope. Hope is not mere optimism; it is a deep trust in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem bleak. It is the quiet assurance that, just as God fulfilled His promise to Zechariah, He will also fulfill His promises to us. To prepare for Christmas is to cultivate this hope, to believe wholeheartedly that Emmanuel—God with us—has come and will come again to bring light into our darkness. This preparation is not passive; it calls us to actively listen for God’s voice, to embrace His presence in our lives, and to trust in His timing. As we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, let us hold onto these words: “Do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard”. Let them remind us that God is faithful, that He hears us, and that His love is steadfast. Let’s reflect: What prayer or longing in my heart have I been holding onto, and how can I open myself to trust in God’s timing and faithfulness, even if the answer is not yet clear?
Don Giorgio