On December 19th, we are in the
last days of our preparation for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ
on Christmas Day. The readings today are significantly appropriate for
this time of the liturgical year. Though they occurred in many different
centuries, we can see the relationship. In the first reading, we learn
about a man named Zorah from a town in Judah during the period of Israel
known as the Judges around ten centuries before the birth of Jesus. He
and his wife had not had a child, but she was approached by an angel who
said that she would give birth to a son though she was late in life.
Their son was named Samson, who is known for his superhero strength and
became a famous Judge, who ruled the Jews for 20 years. She was told
that he would deliver the children of Israel from the power of the
Philistines. In the second reading, an angel appeared to Zechariah, who
was a priest during the days of Herod in the first century after the
birth of Jesus. He was the husband of Elizabeth and they were both late
in life and had not had a child. The angel advised him that Elizabeth
would give birth to a son and they would name him John. He is known to
all as John the Baptist. We know that angels appeared to Mary and
Joseph, who had not had a child, and told them that they would
have a son and they would name him Jesus. In the appearances in the
first two readings, the expectant parents were told to prepare for
Samson and John, who would do great things for God. As we are preparing
for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, we should be taking this time
in Advent to prepare for his coming.
Bob Smith '72
President of the St. Francis College Alumni Association
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