Reading and reflection on the Word of God on Monday, special day of Advent season, December 22nd, 2025

Presented by Melissa Heidy from the Parish of Christ the King in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 1 Samuel 1: 24-28; Rs psalm: 1 Sam 2: 1.4-5.6-7.8abcd; Luke 1: 46-56.PREPARATIONFOR BIRTH Our reflection today is entitled Preparation for Birth. The dayof the birth of Jesus Christ is very near. The most appropriate preparation forus is preparation for this birth. Our reflections over the past days haveprepared us for this very moment. Today we reflect on the birth of John theBaptist, who prepares the way for a birth far greater than his own. The twoinfants had already met in their mothers’ wombs when the Virgin Mary visitedElizabeth. This meeting can be seen as a sign: John was born first to announceto the world that the birth of the Messiah would soon follow. Sacred Scripturetells us clearly that their births happened one after the other. The birth ofJohn the Baptist fulfills the prophecy of Scripture and God’s plan. He wouldbecome a voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the comingof the Word. His birth also prepares the way for repentance and liberation fromdarkness, blindness, ignorance, and sin. This preparation begins with his ownfather, Zechariah, whose mouth was opened after a time of silence before hisson was born. The birth ofJohn the Baptist inspires us to be born anew before Christmas. Spiritually, weare called to be reborn. Our baptism is our new birth in Christ. Through thesacrament of Confirmation, we receive the Holy Spirit and are born in theSpirit. Each time we take part in the Eucharist, we receive new life as theWord of God becomes flesh. Our confession of faith in The Apostle’s Creed, ourprayers and devotions strengthen our new life in Christ. All of these are meantto be lived faithfully and regularly. As Christmasis only a few days away, we should take time to reflect on our rebirth infaith. We remember how we have grown throughout this year. This renewal becomeslike a festive garment that clothes us, fills our minds and hearts, expressesour gratitude, and prepares us to be reborn.  It is rightand good for us to experience a beautiful encounter: an encounter with life. Weare reborn through the holy Church, through the eternal Word who became humanand was born of the blessed Virgin, and we enter the same Church. Let us pray. In the name of the Father… Merciful God, renewus by Your Spirit, so that we may be reborn and ready to welcome the birth ofJesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Hail Mary… In the name of the Father…