4th Sunday of Advent (a)
The Season of Advent (a)
Weekday Readings (1)
Sunday 18th December: 4th Sunday of Advent (a)
The first reading, at the beginning of this last week of Advent, is from the Prophet Isaiah (7:10-14). In a national emergency, God gives a sign that he will save his people. A young woman will give birth to a son whose name means ‘God is with us.’ The birth of this child is made the sign of hope.
The second reading is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (1:1-7). Paul professes his faith in Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour announced by the prophets. He is man, for he is a descendant of David; he is God’s Son and our risen Lord, to whom we belong.
In the Gospel passage (1:18-24), Matthew presents the son to be born of Mary, as the promised ‘God-is-with-us,’ for he is David’s son through Joseph, his legal foster father and born to the Virgin Mother Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Monday 19th December: Advent Weekday by date.
The two texts for today compliment each other – the promise made and the promise fulfilled. The child to be born of a young maiden as a sign of Israel’s salvation, speak directly of a son to be born to the king. In later tradition, this text came to be understood as a messianic prophecy which was fulfilled in Mary and in the child born to her.
Tuesday 20th December: Advent Weekday by date.
The first reading (from the prophet Zephaniah) describes the joy of Jerusalem because God stays with his people.
The Gospel passage presents us with the account of the Visitation. Mary greets Elizabeth, her cousin, who is also pregnant.
Wednesday 21st December: Advent Weekday by date.
The first reading (from the prophet Zephaniah) describes the joy of Jerusalem because God stays with his people.
The Gospel passage presents us with the account of the Visitation. Mary greets Elizabeth, her cousin, who is also pregnant.
Thursday 22nd December: Advent Weekday by date.
Today’s readings are a celebration of thanks to the Lord who does great things for humble people who trust in God.
Hannah, from the Book of Samuel) gives thanks to God because he has given her a son. She dedicates him to God. Samuel will be a great prophet of the Lord.
Our Lady sings out her joy and thanks to God for all he has done for her and for allowing her to be the Mother of his son.
Friday 23rd December: Advent Weekday by date.
We are told today about the birth of the forerunner of Jesus – John the Baptist whose name means ‘God is gracious.’ He will prepare the hearts of the people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah.
Saturday 24th December: Advent Weekday by date. (Morning Mass)
The promise made by the Lord is finally fulfilled with the birth of Jesus Christ. God would set his people free by one no less than his own Son. It is the beginning of the fulfilment.
All is now Ready
The Season of Christmas.
At the first Mass of Christmas, we hear again from the Prophet Isaiah. A child born to us will bring us light and peace from God.
In the second reading from St. Paul’s letter to Titus, we are reminded that the coming of Jesus was God’s gift of grace to all people. It is a reminder to us of what is expected of us if we are to enjoy the salvation won for us by Christ.
In the Gospel, the powerful words ring out – ‘Today a Saviour has been born to us.’ This is the Good News of today so let us give glory and thanks to God.
The readings at the ‘Dawn Mass’ mirror those above. Isaiah encourages the people as they return home from exile. God will make them new through the coming of the Messiah.
In the Letter to Titus, Paul reminds us how God never tires of being good. His Son was born as our Saviour. We are reborn in Baptism. God’s love keeps making us new and leads us to eternal life. All this happens to shows us the compassion of God.
The shepherds go to Bethlehem in the Gospel passage to see the Saviour and then tell others of what they had heard and seen. That same role is ours – to make God known and seen in our world today through bringing Christ to birth in our lives.
In the first reading of the ‘Day Mass’, God announces liberation to his people in captivity.
The letter to the Hebrews reminds us how God has often spoken to people, but since the coming of his Son, Jesus, we can see what God means ands who God is.
The powerful prologue of St. John’s Gospel speaks to us of the mystery of Jesus – he is the image of the Father, his Word become a man, his light in our darkness, he is God living among us.
