# The Announcement to Zechariah: John Chosen to Prepare the Way
*2015-12-17*

> Bill reflects on Luke 1:8‑17, the angelic announcement to Zechariah that his son John will prepare the Lord’s way, and offers prayers for the Christmas season.

## The Third Day of the Christmas Novena

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young, welcome to the Prayer and Lunch podcast. It’s the 3 o’clock hour, and we are continuing our Christmas novena. Today is the third day, December 17th, focusing on the announcement made to Zechariah that John has been chosen to prepare the way of the Lord, based on Luke 1:8‑17.

## The Angel’s Message to Zechariah

While Zechariah was serving as priest in the temple, burning incense at the altar, an angel of the Lord appeared standing at the right side of the altar of incense. The sight terrified Zechariah, but the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth. He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must not drink wine or strong drink, even from his mother’s womb. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will turn many of the children of Israel back to the Lord their God, with the spirit and power of Elijah, preparing a people fit for the Lord.”

## Prayer for Light and Mercy

Lord God, who at the beginning created light to free the world from darkness, we ask that you send us the same creature of light. Come, the spouse of the true wedding prepared by you from eternity, and may all Christians, freed from original sin by baptism and purified by acts of charity, draw nearer to your Son who lives and reigns forever. Amen.

## Our Traditional Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

## Prayer for All Souls

God bless you all, and bless the Year of Mercy. In this 3 o’clock hour, the hour of mercy that Christ gave us, let us pray for the conversion of souls: for our family members, friends, our city, our state, our country, and indeed all peoples—Christians, Muslims, Jews, atheists, and every soul in the world.

*May the announcement to Zechariah inspire us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ this Christmas.*