# Eighth Day Christmas Novena: The Birth of John and the Canticle of Zechariah
*2015-12-22*

> Bill Young reflects on the eighth day of the Christmas novena, focusing on the birth of John the Baptist and Zechariah’s prophetic canticle, and offers prayers of thanksgiving and anticipation of Christ’s coming.

## Opening Prayer

The Lord has visited His people. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me. As it was in the beginning, so it shall be forever. Amen.

## Scripture Reading (Luke 1)

According to Luke, after Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, the time came for Elizabeth to give birth to her son. When neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had lavished her with faithful love, they shared her joy. John’s father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for He has visited His people and set them free. He has established for us a saving power in the house of the servant David, as He promised through the holy prophets of old. Because of the loving mercy of our God, a light has risen from on high to visit us, to give light to those who live in darkness, the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

## Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord our God, true Light, you have expressed the depths of your love and your saving words by sending the Word to descend from heaven into the immaculate womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant that we, your servants, may await His glorious birth with joyful hearts. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

## The Our Father

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 and Closing Prayer

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 now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Lord be with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, now, and ever shall be. Amen.

*The eighth day of the novena reminds us that God’s promised Light has already entered our world, inviting us to rejoice in the coming of Christ.*