Wednesday of the
Fourth Week of Advent
(II
Samuel 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16; Luke 1:67-79)
At first glance the first reading and the gospel appear
disconnected. The reading from II Samuel
is the familiar promise of God’s intention to establish a permanent Davidic
kingship. The gospel seems to be an eruption
of joy on the part of Zechariah with the birth of his son. However, a closer look reveals a profound
intimacy between the two.
In the gospel Zechariah foretells the coming of God as
“the dawn from on high.” The word for this in Greek is anatole which also translates
the Hebrew of Nathan’s prophecy to David that God will raise up one “sprung
from your loins” to become the eternal king. Thus, Zechariah announces the fulfillment of
the Messianic prophecy with the coming of the one for whom John the Baptist is
to prepare the way.
The scene is set.
The Savior is about to make his appearance in the world. We are to look for the rising star tonight
whose light shall illumine our way to glory.
