Fourth Wednesday of Advent Christmas Eve – 24 December 2025
– You can ponder on the picture. For a method of praying with pictures click button below.
– You can pray on the words of Scripture. For methods of praying with scripture click button below.
– You can follow the suggestions in the daily ‘Reflection’.
– You can listen to the music
Today’s Scripture
Luke 1:67-79 ESV
At that time: Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father Abraham to grant us
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.’
Reflection
Zechariah, having been struck dumb for 9 months, breaks out in a great song of blessing and prophecy, praising God for His mercy and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people and foretelling not only the vital role of his son, John, but of the one for whom John prepares the way. The song ends with the image of God’s sun shining on and ‘giving light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death’. There is much that feels very dark in the world, not least in the Middle East.
Where do you see glimmers of light shining in the darkness? Take time to notice, ponder and give thanks for these.
Where do you long for God’s Son-light to shine? Bring these situations into conversation with God.
Today’s Music
The Light came down: Josh Garrels
If you are finding this retreat helpful, then please consider sending us a donation towards the cost creating it and of putting it online.