Advent Meditations: Sunday 24 December

Dec 24, 2017 by

Sun
Dec 24
am: 24, 29
pm: 8, 84
Gen 3:8-15 Rev 12:1-10 John 3:16-21
Sun
Dec 24
am: 45, 46
pm: 89:1-29
am: Isa 59:1-15a
pm: Isa 59:15b-21
am: Gal 3:23-4:7
pm: Phil 2:5-11
am: Lk 1:26-80
pm: Matt 1:18-25

 SUNDAY ADVENT IV –                                                                        

 O Antiphon’s  O   Rex Gentium

Many are inclined to look past the 4th Sunday of Advent as Christmas is so close  but on this day it is difficult to do as the morning hours in facts observes Advent IV. Sadly many will miss  the splendor and power of the promises on this last Sunday in Advent because “ there is too much to be done”. But the church maintains that we observe this fully as the themes of today are essential to us embracing the promise that awaits us.

Biblical Meditation :  Two of the most well known Gospel’s give us much to ponder this day. In today’s Eucharistic readings, the Gospel from Luke tells of Mary’s arrival at Elizabeth’s home which causes John to leap in Elizabeth’s womb, and both women praise God for His goodness. Have you ever been so overcome with joy, you could hardly contain yourself? Perhaps that is why the Office Readings is from John 3:16…For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that all may live. What could bring us more joy at Christmas than the fact that this birth was the Alpha and Omega for humanity.

The same author who wrote those words also wrote that Christ is the One

“who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no

one can open” (Rev.3:7) Christ had set an open door before the church that “no one

can shut.” As the days wind down this Advent will we walk through that door? Will we

let the true joy of the season that caused a stirring in the womb of Mary and Elizabeth stir up a deep longing within our souls.

PRAYER: Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts,
that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Spiritual Discipline /Activity Go on line and do some research on your family tree. Some links to consider are: Family Tree Legends (claiming to be a powerful software in genealogical search), Gedmark (used in securing any information on an author on GEDCOM files), GeneWeb. Even better sit down today with members of your extended family either in person or on the phone and ask the about your family history and see where faith has played an important role.

ANCIENT WORDS/PRESENT GRACE: “Those who lived according to the old order of things have come to a new hope, no longer keeping the Sabbath, but the Lord’s Day, in which our life is blessed by Him and by His death.” St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Magnesios 9:1

 

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