# The Christmas novena: the announcement made to Zechariah
*2008-12-15*

> Bill Young leads the third day of the Christmas novena, reflecting on the angelic announcement to Zechariah regarding the birth of John the Baptist.

## The Announcement to Zechariah

Today we continue with the third day of our Christmas novena, focusing on the announcement made to Zechariah. In the Gospel according to Luke, we read that it was the turn of Zechariah's division to serve. While he was exercising his priestly office before God, it fell to him by lot, according to priestly custom, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the people were outside praying, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.

## The Promise of a Son

Though Zechariah was overcome with fear, the angel told him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear a son, and you shall name him John.' The angel revealed that John would be a source of joy and delight, and that he would be great in the sight of the Lord. Filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb, John would drink no wine or strong drink.

## Preparing the Way

The mission of John the Baptist was clear: he would bring many of the Israelites back to the Lord, their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah, he would go before the Lord to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the prudence of the upright, preparing a people fit for the Lord.

## Closing Prayers

We pray to the Lord God, who at the beginning of time created the light to free the world from darkness. We ask Him to send us that same creator of light and for the spouse of the true wedding, prepared from eternity. May all Christians, freed from original sin by baptism and purified by acts of charity, draw ever closer to His Son, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

*St. John the Baptist was chosen to prepare the way for the Lord, calling us to a similar spirit of reconciliation and readiness.*