Monday 23 December

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; Luke 1:57-66

Yahweh is gracious

He is to be called John. A name which means ‘God is gracious’. How can you be sure that God is gracious? It can be a baffling process. Faith takes time to come to birth. When God speaks to us in the depth of our soul, we may be struck dumb. We waver wordlessly between awe and disbelief. Ultimately, the inner voice returns. We cry out with joy, ‘God is gracious’. But it is also possible to remain in silent uncertainty. Astonish me, gracious God.