This Advent readers are invited to look at the Sunday readings (from the Revised Common Lectionary) and consider where and how we are part of the long and ongoing Sacred Story of God’s work in the world. Some suggestions can be found in the Nov. 27 post.
Readings for Advent 4
Isaiah 7:10-16
10Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11Ask
a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as
heaven. 12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put
the Lord to the test. 13Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of
David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God
also? 14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young
woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15He
shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and
choose the good. 16For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and
choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be
deserted.
Romans 1:1-7
1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
set apart for the gospel of God, 2which he promised beforehand through his
prophets in the holy scriptures, 3the gospel concerning his Son, who was
descended from David according to the flesh 4and was declared to be Son of
God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the
dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and
apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles
for the sake of his name, 6including yourselves who are called to belong
to Jesus Christ, 7To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be
saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:18-25
18Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.
When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived
together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her
husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public
disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20But just when he had resolved
to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the
child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son,
and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their
sins.”22All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through
the prophet: 23“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they
shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24When Joseph
awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as
his wife, 25but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a
son; and he named him Jesus.
Summary Reflection
Christmas is only a week away. Throughout Advent, we've looked at being Awake, Preparing, and Waiting. This week right before Christmas is a time to Remember the
Promises. Isaiah’s promise is fulfilled by Mary’s Son. Through Jesus, we have
received the Promise of grace and apostleship outlined by Paul in the Letter to
the Romans. These are powerful promises of God’s love.
Even though Ahaz refuses to ask God for a sign, God gives
one anyway. A return to peace is promised when the young woman conceives and
bears a son named Immanuel. As Christians we read into that long-ago promise
the birth of Jesus, God with us, to a teenage girl in Israel. Mary’s betrothed
husband, Joseph, receives his own promise when the angel explains that the
infant is of God and does indeed fulfill Isaiah’s promise.
We are bearers of that Promise as we, “called to be saints,” share the Love of God which is the greatest Promise of All. “I will never leave you or forsake you” is stated again and again throughout the Bible. Isn’t that a wonderful Promise to hold onto as we enter the Christmas season and the New Year?
Response
Can remembering God’s Promise “I will never leave you or
forsake you” give you comfort in troubling times and in good ones?
Make the promise part of what you take into 2023!
