First Reading: Micah 5: 1-4.
Most of the prophets have references to the coming Messiah, but this
prophecy of Micah is one of the clearest in the Old Testament.
“Out of you will be born the one who is to rule over Israel.”
Responsorial Psalm: Ps: 79
God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 5-10.
These words of the Epistle to the Hebrews are aptly chosen to remind us
today, the last Sunday of our preparation for Christmas, of the real
meaning of the Incarnation. “Here I am! I am coming to do your will.”
Gospel Reading: Luke 1: 39-45.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, inspired by God, Elizabeth was the first human
being to proclaim the dignity, the special position given to Mary in God's
plan for our redemption. "Blessed are thou amongst women . . . the mother
of my Lord," she said. “Why should I be honoured with a visit from the
mother of my Lord?”
Most of the prophets have references to the coming Messiah, but this
prophecy of Micah is one of the clearest in the Old Testament.
“Out of you will be born the one who is to rule over Israel.”
Responsorial Psalm: Ps: 79
God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 5-10.
These words of the Epistle to the Hebrews are aptly chosen to remind us
today, the last Sunday of our preparation for Christmas, of the real
meaning of the Incarnation. “Here I am! I am coming to do your will.”
Gospel Reading: Luke 1: 39-45.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, inspired by God, Elizabeth was the first human
being to proclaim the dignity, the special position given to Mary in God's
plan for our redemption. "Blessed are thou amongst women . . . the mother
of my Lord," she said. “Why should I be honoured with a visit from the
mother of my Lord?”
Fourth Sunday of Advent: We welcome the Light like Mary and Elizabeth, receiving God’s presence and action in our lives, making a way for the fulfillment of God’s promises! In the midst of winter darkness, Advent points to the light, to hope, justice, peace and promise. How do we prepare to receive Christ more fully? How do we recognize Christ’s comings? What lights my path, what helps me to recognize and receive Christ’s ongoing action in my life? What promise of God wants to come to fulfillment in me?
In our first reading we have a prediction about the birth of Christ which is to take place in Bethlehem – for a long time regarded as a low and insignificant village which couldn’t produce anyone or anything of importance. Now it is to be the birthplace of the Lord’s restoration. In the second reading from the letter to the Hebrews we see the author speaking about Christ’s life and mission on earth. We are told that God did not want the sacrifices and holocausts which the Jews offered up to God in atonement for their sins. But to put an end to the sacrifices once and for all Christ was born in human form and became for us the ultimate sacrifice so that no sacrifice will ever again be necessary. All others are nothing by comparison to his sacrifice upon the cross. In our gospel for today we see Mary going to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is herself pregnant. Elizabeth rejoices at Mary’s presence and tells us that even the child within her womb leapt for joy because he recognises in whose presence he now is. We too stand in the presence of God every time we come to Church but do we rejoice as much as Elizabeth and her unborn son did all those years ago? If not, then now is the time to do something about it and to make a special place for Christ in our lives and in our families this Christmas.