Luke 1: 59-66
59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
Today’s prayer:
God in heaven, like Zechariah, open my mouth and set my tongue free to praise you, this day. I have been silent for far too long! I celebrate with all joy this Christmas because you are not a vengeful or angry God. You are for me, you are not against me. Every title you hold, and everything you do, is for my good. Everything you are is good—you are the Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. You are the Word made flesh. You are the Highest, Most Holy, Light of Light, Eternal Desire of Nations. You are God with Us, the Son of Righteousness. Everything you do is kind—you have not forgotten or abandoned us. You are faithful to your promises. You are kind and compassionate. You graciously bless us. You are merciful to forgive us. You have not treated us as our sins deserve. You are kind. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola
https://a.co/7ngbNvC
