Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Readings of the Day 

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. But before Christ, there were several men and women who played important roles in preparing the way for the long-awaited Savior. Our readings today share how two other births were critical in our overall understanding of this plan: God is continually working for our salvation and when he asks us to participate, we are simply called to obey.

We will probably not receive clear directives from the Angel of the Lord as did Manoah’s wife and Elizabeth. I love how scripture relays Manoah’s wife’s message to her husband, and I paraphrase, “I didn’t even ask him his name!” Her faith bade her to say “OK!” without question. How many questions she and Manoah must have had, yet they received very few answers.

Same with Zechariah and Elizabeth. However, due to Zechariah’s questioning heart, the angel made him mute. We are to trust and obey. Yes, even when things don’t make sense.

The blessings and births of Samson and John are an invitation to witness and participate in the salvation story. Over and over again the Israelites sinned and were oppressed, yet God continued to offer hope.

He sent Samson, and the Israelites were delivered from the Philistines.

He sent John to prepare the Israelites for the coming Savior. He invited them to look toward the heavens – their salvation was imminent.

If we let him, God will not only show how he has saved us this Advent season – through the blessing of the long-awaited Christ – but he will use us to influence the salvation of others. Will we obey? Will we actively participate in the Community of Faith that God has called us to? We will not likely give birth to a prophet or single-handedly defeat an army, but may our lives proclaim the hope, peace, joy, and forgiveness of Christ enough to change someone’s salvation story.

Christina Fankhauser has served as Director of Philanthropy with Catholic Charities Community Services of the Diocese of Phoenix since 2017. She happily spends most of her non-work hours with her husband, Matthew, and their children, Liliana and Ryan. She is honored to serve God by serving the most vulnerable through social services.

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