Wednesday December 24, 2025 - Good News Ministries

Good News Reflections:
Making scripture meaningful to your daily life
by Terry Modica

The absence of joy is merely a void in your view of what God is doing.

Good News Reflection for:

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
December 24, 2025

Today’s Prayer:

I praise You and thank You, Lord Jesus my Savior, because You reveal yourself to those humble hearts who are waiting in silence to be loved and raised up to You. Amen.

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Today’s Readings:

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29
Luke 1:67-79
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122425.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-december-24-2025

Heralding joy to the world

In this final day of Advent, the prophecy of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, reminds us that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Like John, we are destined to be heralds of the Good News about Jesus Christ. If we respond to our calling, living out the purposes for which God the Father created us, using the gifts and talents he’s given us, sharing with others the wisdom we’ve gained from the Holy Spirit, we will draw others to Christ.

We are evangelizers. Others meet Jesus, even when they refused to realize it, in us, through our deeds of love and mercy. It’s the glow of our love that enlightens the faith of others. Our words are like those on a sign: First people have to see the sign before they will read the message. Our actions of love, on behalf of Jesus, are what get people’s attention.

As John’s father Zechariah prophesied, a herald prepares a way into people’s hearts for the Lord to enter. By itself, our love is not enough to convince people that they need to come to church or turn to Jesus or change their ways. If we have no joy, our love seems to be a burden instead of a blessing. Joy is the glow of our love. When others see that we have joy from knowing that Jesus loves us, faith in him becomes more appealing.

We give people knowledge of salvation and forgiveness of their sins only if the overcoming of our own sins brings us deeper into God’s love and produces amazing joy. Our transformation, with its accompanying joy, is proof of the tender mercy of our God, and thus the people around us who sit in darkness and death’s shadow will see that the light from on high has made a wonderful difference in our lives. They need to see that the light of Christ guides our feet onto the path of peace.

Being a Christian today is counter-cultural. Being a Christian needs to look like it’s worthwhile to live differently than the rest of the world. We need to show by our lives that holiness is beneficial. Think of how many people visited Saints like Padre Pio to confess their sins. Think of why even atheists respected Saint Teresa of Calcutta. This is our goal, too! Our holiness needs to be very attractive.

That’s how Christ is born into the world. Through us, the Savior wants to beam his light of truth into the darkness, embrace sinners, and carry them safely in his arms to the healing and freedom and forgiveness that they inwardly long for.

In the new season of Christmas, may our lives proclaim “Joy to the world! The Lord has come!” Let the gift of the Lord’s love shine from you, which is only possible if you keep your eyes on Jesus.

Is joy missing from your life? The absence of joy is merely a void in your view of what God is doing. He’s doing far more than you can even imagine! More goodness, more blessings, more healing. Instead of focusing on what’s been blocking your joy, keep your eyes on Jesus, for nothing can prevent the coming of the Lord.

To help you reflect on the topic of this subject, meditate with our prayer: “Zechariah’s Canticle as a Victory Prayer” @ https://gnm.org/prayers/zechariahs-canticle/.

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