Christmas Eve 1997 Cycle C

2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-11,16

Psalm 89:2-3,4-5,27,29

Luke 1:67-79

The Old Testament reading and responsorial psalm are identical to those set for the Fourth Sunday of Advent - Year B. My comments are repeated here.

King David wished to build a suitahle place for the Ark of the Covenant, a place for God; something pernianent and suitable. The prophet Nathan first agrees but changes his mind after his vision in which David is refused permission but promised instead that his house would continue and enjoy God's favor for all time. A new covenant is established. This is the first mention of the promise that became a fundamental part of Jewish hope and expectation -- an everlasting covenant. It is to this covenant relationship that Jesus refers when the Pharisees ask of Christ: 'whose son is he?' 'The son of David' is the reply. David and his house are called into a graced future, one which will continue forever.

In Psalm 89 David praises God, recalls the covenant made with him and his house: "The favors of the Lord I will sing forever" (vs. 2). The covenant virtue of fidelity or faithfulness is highlighted in this pslam. In the total psalm it is mentioned eight tims. The perpetuity of the covenant is stated in verse 5- "Forever will I confirm your poserity and establish your throne for all generations." This repeates the last sentence of our reading of our reading from the Second Book of Samuel. Beginning with verse 27 the special relationship of David with the Lord God is extolled. God will be 'father, rock, savior.'

The New Testament proclaims that the promises to David are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose birth we will celebrate.

Another thought:

Awake, mankind! For your sake God has beccme man. Awake, you who sleep, rise up from the dead, and Christ will emlighten you. I tell you again; for your sake, God becam man. You would have suffered eternal death, had he not been born in time. Never would you have been freed frcm sinful flesh. You would have suffered everlasting unhappiness, had it not been for his mercy. You would have never returned to life had he not shared your death. You would have been lost if he had not hastened to your aid. You would have perished, had he not come. Let us celebrate the festive day on which he who is the great and eternal day day from the great and endless day of eternity into our own short day of time.

-- St. Augustine

Advent in the Prophets and the Psalms

Rev. Charles Yost, scj

Nesbit, MS

The meditation for Christmas Eve concludes the current series of meditations by Fr. Charles Yost, scj (US). We thank him for his gracious cooperation. He has agreed to produce a similar series for the Lenten season beginning with the first Sunday of Lent, March 1, 1998. Untill then we will be using excerpts from his work To You, Lord, I Call printed in 1995. Our selections will be taken from the appendix: The Old and New Testament Canticles used in the Liturgy of the Hours and will begin on the first Sunday of the New Year.