2 Sam 7:1-5, 9-12, 14, 16 / Luke 1:67-79
To prepare for the birthday celebration of a special person is an exciting and happy affair.
We will do the utmost preparations to have a memorable celebration for that person.
We will check through everything, from the food to the decorations, to the programme and the guest list.
But when Jesus was born into this world, no one was prepared to receive him or celebrate His birth.
Even Mary and Joseph could not adequately prepare to receive him, given their situation.
But just as David (First Reading) and Zechariah (Gospel) were moved by the Spirit of God to understand His plan, may the Spirit of Christmas also lead us into a deeper preparation to celebrate the birth of Christ.
May the Spirit of peace, love and joy prepare our hearts to receive Jesus so that He will make His home in us and that we will remain in His love.
May these words of Scripture help us prepare for what we are going to be celebrating : Behold, the virgin is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, a name which means "God-is-with-us" (Isa 7:14).