4th Sunday of Advent
Today we light again the candles of hope, love, and joy, and the fourth PURPLE candle, the candle of peace. Christ is the Prince of peace, come to reconcile us with God and others. Christ helps us to see that peace is possible.
In the reading which is the Gospel reading of today's liturgy the Angel announces that Mary will give birth so a son. After the announcement, the angel enters into a short song of praise of Jesus and in the process quotes from Samuel, (the promise of the eternal kingdom of David.) It is He (Jesus) who is the one who will rule.
Luke 1:26-38
1:26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
1:28 And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."
1:29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
1:30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
1:31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
1:32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
1:33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
1:34 But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"
1:35 And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
1:36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
1:37 for nothing will be impossible for God."
1:38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
1:28 And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."
1:29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
1:30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
1:31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
1:32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
1:33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
1:34 But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"
1:35 And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
1:36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
1:37 for nothing will be impossible for God."
1:38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Let us pray, God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory.
Ps.89:2
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever, proclaim your loyalty through all ages.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever, proclaim your loyalty through all ages.
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