Wednesday 23 December – O Immanuel
– 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: 57-66 (WEB)
Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.”
They all marvelled. His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
Reflection
Watch Zechariah firmly write on the tablet, “John is his name,” choosing obedience to God over the expectations of his neighbors. Instantly his tongue is loosed, and his very first words are a magnificent song of praise. When you align your will with God’s directives, your heart naturally rediscovers its true voice.
Grace to Ask For: The freedom to choose God’s will over human approval.
Examen: Where have I compromised my values just to please the people around me?
Today’s Music
Joshua Aaron 🎶 O Come, O Come Emmanuel (English & Hebrew) The Chosen Christmas Special
O Immanuel, you are our king and judge, the One whom the peoples await and their Saviour. O come and save us, Lord our God.