The First Reading from the Second Book of Samuel speaks of King David. He has defeated all his enemies and begins to reign in peace. But very soon he feels uncomfortable that he is living in a fine palace while the presence of the Lord is confined in the tent where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. But God tells him that he will build a different kind of House for the Lord. That House will be the dynasty of which David will be the founder. But this will not be the real House that God has in mind. The dynasty of David, consisting of many evil and corrupt men, will eventually collapse. However, the line will not die out because in time a new King will arise. That King, of course, is Jesus whose birth and first appearance in our world we will be celebrating tomorrow. As God tells David today, "Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever." Let us then today, together with Zechariah, recite the song of praise we find in today's Gospel and which the Church prays every day at Morning Prayer in the Divine Office. May he give light to us in our darkness and guide our feet into the way of peace.