Advent Meditations: Sunday 19 December

Dec 19, 2021 by Jill

SUNDAY WEEK IV OF ADVENT

TODAY ON THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR Fourth Sunday of Advent 

ABOUT TODAY ON THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR – On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final blue or purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and reflection as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This candle is sometimes known as the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.” Some also call it the This is the candle of Love as Jesus is love incarnate who came to us as a great act of giving reminding is that Advent is a time for thinking of and sharing with others. It is a time to love as God loved us by giving us his most precious gift. As God is love, let us be love also.

ALSO, we mark the third day of the o antiphon’s of advent – o flower of Jesse- O FLOWER OF JESSE, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in Your presence; the nations bow down in worship before You. Come; let nothing keep You from coming to our aid.

The Eucharistic Lessons for the 4^th Sunday of Advent (Year C) presents to us profound examples of humility and submission in the vocation of Mary saying yes to be the mother of our Lord. By receiving the revelation of the angel in holy obedience, Mary embodies humility and grace even when she may not grasp the full implications of what she has said Yes to. Her “yes!” to the Archangel Gabriel sets the stage the birth of Jesus the Messiah. She is as the Greeks say the THEOTOKOS- The God Bearer. The 4th Sunday of Advent is an opportunity to reflect on Mary’s response and consider if we can emulate that response in our own lives and circumstances in our own pilgrimage of faith. Here is an opportunity this week for is to contemplate the heart of Mary who was treasuring all these things in her heart and consider the possibility that we too can be Christ Bearers this Advent and all the yearlong.

Of course, on this third day of the O Antiphons the lineage of Jesus is profiled in this manner as the entire lineage of Jesus us recalled in the antiphon proclaiming the root of Jesse. Isaiah prophesied a restoration of David’s throne – a new branch budding out of the old root. Christ is the root of Jesse in a two-fold sense: he is the descendant of David, who was the youngest son of Jesse, and he inherited the royal throne.  The angel foretold to Mary and Joseph, “The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father.

Today’s images remind us well that it is important that we know who we are and where we come from. It is part of our story and shapes so very much who God is calling us to be. Traditions and faith have been passed from generation to generation. Consider the possibility of the impact you are handing on the faith to family and friends may have on your legacy and theirs!

PRAYER: Gracious God, I pray you this day that the same Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary in Nazareth will soon overshadow me this holy season. May the same Jesus whom Mary carried be born in the manger that is my life. Through the intercession of Blessed Mary and Elizabeth may we carry the Good News out to others who so need Christ this Christmas, so that all things can be made new in Him. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Advent Activity/ – Go online 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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