Daily Lectio Divina – December 24, 2025 · Archangel Warriors' Haven

Daily Lectio Divina – December 24, 2025

Mass in the Morning – Fourth Week of Advent

Gospel: Luke 1:67-79

(Zechariah’s Canticle – The Benedictus)

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that, rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Reflection for Service Members and Veterans:

Brothers and sisters in uniform—active duty, veterans, and families—on this Christmas Eve, as the world prepares to celebrate the birth of our Savior, we hear Zechariah’s song of praise burst forth after months of silence. Like many of us who have stood watch in quiet vigilance, endured long deployments in silence, or carried wounds that left us speechless, Zechariah’s voice is restored at the perfect moment.

He proclaims that God has “visited” His people—not from afar, but up close, in the flesh. Tomorrow we will kneel before that visit: the Word made flesh in a humble manger. For those who have served in dark places, far from home, this “daybreak from on high” is personal. It shines into the shadows of combat memories, loss, separation, and the long nights of reintegration.

Zechariah speaks of a “horn of salvation”—strength and victory raised up in the house of David. In our military lives, we know horns as signals: reveille to rise, assembly to gather, retreat to rest. Christ is our horn—our rallying point, our strength in weakness, our rescue when the battle seems lost.

And to his son John he says: “You will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.” We, too, are called to prepare the way—whether leading a fire team with integrity, mentoring a young troop, or simply bearing witness to hope in the midst of hardship.

As the dawn of Christmas approaches, let the tender mercy of God visit you anew. Let it guide your feet into the path of peace you have defended for others.

5-Minute Lectio Divina Exercise

Find a quiet place.

Breathe deeply.

Invite the Holy Spirit.

—Lectio (Read) – Slowly read Luke 1:67-79 aloud or in silence. Let the words settle.

—Meditatio (Reflect) – Read again. What word or phrase stands out? (Perhaps “daybreak from on high,” “tender mercy,” “path of peace,” or “without fear we might worship him.”) Repeat it gently. How does it touch your military or veteran experience today?

—Oratio (Pray) – Speak to God from your heart. Thank Him for visiting you in your darkest moments. Ask for His light to shine on any shadow you carry.

—Contemplatio (Rest) – Sit in silence for a minute or two. Simply rest in God’s presence, the tender mercy that comes as a child tomorrow.

—Actio (Live) – Carry one phrase from the Benedictus with you today. Let it be your quiet battle cry of hope as Christmas dawns.

Merry Christmas, warriors of faith. The Light is coming.

MAC Heath Garcia, MAC(SW/AW)

United States Navy Expeditionary Forces (ret.),

Military Spiritual Director

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