Fourth Sunday in Advent

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Readings:

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-28
Luke 1:46-55

“Nativity Hymn 9” by Charles Wesley (abridged)
Father, our hearts we lift
Up to thy gracious throne,
And bless thee for the precious gift
Of thine incarnate Son;
The gift unspeakable
We thankfully receive,
And to the world thy goodness tell,
And to thy glory live.

Jesus, the holy child,
Doth by his birth declare,
That God and man are reconciled,
And one in him we are.
Salvation through his name
To all mankind is given,
And loud his infant-cries proclaim
A peace ’twixt earth and heaven.

A peace on earth he brings,
Which never more shall end:
The Lord of hosts, the King of kings,
Declares himself our friend,
Assumes our flesh and blood,
That we his Sp’rit may gain,
The everlasting Son of God,
The mortal Son of man.
 
Reflection: When Mary enters the Advent readings, we come face to face with the reality that Jesus was a real human being. He did not just appear on the planet out of nothing, like a genie or an angel. This is the great mystery of Christmas: a teenage Israelite girl gave birth to the God who made the universe. We can try to figure out how this happened. We can try to explain why God would do this. But the best response to this mystery is the one Mary herself offers: crying out to God in praise and thanksgiving for his amazing and transforming love.

Prayer: Our hearts are ready to receive you, everlasting God. Help us to praise you at all times and in all places. Amen.