These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
So they made signs, asking Zechariah, his father, what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. (Lk 1:57-66, 67-79)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122321.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122421.cfm
We come to the birth of John the Baptist, and Zechariah is finally to speak fulfilling the words of the angel. And what follows is the Canticle of Zechariah knows as the Benedictus, which is sung at Morning Prayer (Lauds) every day. Today’s Christmas carol is a popular lullaby in Latin America: A la Nanita Nana (Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby -by).
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. (Lk 1:46-56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122221.cfm
Mary’s hymn of praise (the Magnificat) sounds like an organizing anthem. And it is—the lowly lifted up, the hungry filled, the mighty toppled, the rich sent away empty. Maybe that’s why the church puts this hymn on our lips at every evening prayer to shake us up so we can prepare for the coming of the Lord who proclaims good news to the poor. Today we have another popular Christmas carol in Colombia: Mamá, ¿Dónde Están los Juguetes? (Mama, Where are the Toys?).
Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb. (Lk 1:39-45)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122121.cfm
The simple prayer we call the Hail Mary contains this blessing of Mary by Elizabeth. And the church has echoed Elizabeth’s words through the centuries as we ask the prayers of the Mother of our Lord. Today’s carol is very popular here in Colombia: Hacia Belén va una burra (A Donkey Heads to Bethlehem).
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122021.cfm
The Annunciation to Mary is the second annunciation story in Luke’s gospel—the first being to Zechariah about the coming birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:5-25). And the gospel writer wants us to compare and contrast the two annunciations. Zechariah, an aged priest, has his annunciation take place in the Temple in Jerusalem, but of course, he doubts and is struck mute until John is born. The Annunciation to the young Mary, on the other hand, takes place in the backwater town of Nazareth, and Mary responds with faith: “May it be done to me according to your word.” Today’s Christmas Carol is the very Colombian carol Zagalillos (Little Shepherds Come).
O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Lk 1:39-45)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121921.cfm
This final Sunday of Advent turns our attention to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord, through whom we received the Author of all life, Jesus Christ. Come, Lord Jesus, come, do not delay! Today we have another popular Christmas Carol from Colombia, Salve Reina y Madre (Hail, Queen and Mother).
