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Advent
Reflections for Week 4 (December 23-24) |
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Advent Reflections for December 23
Advent
Reflections for December 24 |
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Reading |
Humble Praise and Joyful Anticipation
The readings for this fourth Sunday (and final day) of Advent emphasize
the lowly origins of Jesus - both geographical and familial - and the
loving sacrificial work that He, as Lord and Savior, would undertake for
the sake of Israel and the entire human race.
The ascent from lowliness to greatness via the startling path of
sacrifice is hinted at in the reading from the prophet Micah. His
message followed a basic pattern similar to that of his contemporary
Isaiah: the announcement of judgment due to the rejection of God’s law,
the prophecy of a restored Zion, and an exhortation to a spiritual
renewal based in trust in God’s mercy. ...
Advent
IV: God Keeps His Promises by Justin Holcomb
On the fourth Sunday of Advent (Advent IV), we celebrate God's faithfulness in
sending Jesus, and we remember that faithfulness as we look forward to Christ's
second coming. ...
The Blessed
Mother and Advent Part 4: Holy Mary and the Death of Sin by Carl
E. Olson
The final words of the Hail Mary are filled with comfort, but also with
a reminder of our mortality and the inevitable end to our earthly lives:
"Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen."
This cry to the Blessed Mother might seem distant from–if not at odds
with–the season Advent and the rapidly approaching season of Christmas.
What does Advent have to do with sin? What does Christmas have to do
with death? ...
Mystery of Advent Part 4: The Things of Christmas
To what shall we compare the Fourth Sunday of Advent? It is like a bridegroom
whispering in the ear of his bride a promise of things delightful and near. In
the liturgy of the Fourth Sunday, Christ whispers into the ear of His Church the
things of Christmas. And with what desire does the bride desire them! ...
The Journey To Bethlehem is Not Comfortable!
During the season of Advent, we are all invited to travel our
own personal "road to Bethlehem". When we arrive at our
destination on Christmas Day, we will hopefully be closer to the
Lord than when we began the journey. Over the course of these
few weeks, we have the opportunity to look at our lives and
attempt to find ways of becoming closer to Christ. One of the
biggest mistakes we can make is to "take the easy way out" and
do nothing or choose only those spiritual practices with which
we are comfortable. ...
Good News Comes in Strange Packages
Good news comes in strange packages. The angel Gabriel is the
one who delivers the news to Mary. And angels are scary
creatures. Everywhere in the Bible that we find angel messengers
encountering human beings, the reaction is always the same: The
people are scared out of their minds. They're terrified. And
understandably so. This is a direct, shocking, completely
unexpected, completely out of the normal, experience, to come
face to face with an angel. ...
The
Messiah, the Saviour who will be Born in Bethlehem
Bible Commentary on Micah 5:2-5a - OT Reading for the Fourth
Sunday in Advent
Christ's
Offering of Himself Has Infinite Value
Commentary on Hebrews 10:5-10, Reading for Advent IV Sunday |
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Devotionals |
Keeping
Christ in Christmas by Eric Metaxas
Amid all the commercialism and very real financial stress, how do
Christians focus on the mystery of the Godhead veiled in human flesh,
revealed to us first in a dirty stable in Bethlehem? ...
God Did
Something Different by James MacDonald
We said to God, "I don't need You. I don't want You. I will do what I want,
God." And God could have reciprocated with retaliation. But God did something
different. He set reconciliation in motion with an unexpected move. ...
Becoming Real
- Incarnation by Sarah Jennings
Even before the Cross, Jesus' birth began the reversal of the
divorce between creation and the Divine caused by Adam and Eve's
fall from grace. By becoming man, God didn't merely descend to
our human level but lifted humanity up to His Divine level. ...
Let's Worship by
Greg Laurie
I think we should cancel the version of Christmas that is filled with hype and
endless activity leading to exhaustion, the version that gives little to any
thought of Christ. We should cancel Christmas and instead celebrate the birth of
Jesus Christ. I still believe in Christmas, but not in the holiday as our
culture celebrates it. I believe in the real message of Christmas, which is the
birth of our Lord. ... |
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Prayer |
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Opening
Prayer: Lord, fill our
hearts with your love,
and as you revealed to us by an angel
the coming of your Son as man,
so lead us through his suffering and death
to the glory of his resurrection.
Anima Christi - Soul of
Christ
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds, hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me come to Thee, that with
Thy saints I may praise Thee for ever and ever.
Amen. |
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Bible Reading Schedule |
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This Christmas, do something that will refresh and strengthen your soul.
These 25 short, daily Bible readings highlight the birth of Jesus and the purpose for His coming.
Related Old Testament passages are also featured.
Recapture the reason for the season!
Day 23: Jesus predicts His death, part 2
Day 24: Most of the people do not believe in Jesus
Day 25: Resurrection, ascension, and invitation of Jesus
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This Week in
Syriac Orthodox Church |
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In Syrian Orthodox Church, on Sunday, December
23, 2012 we reflect on the Genealogy of Jesus Christ. Jesus'
birth fulfilled all the promises and covenants made by God
through the prophets of the Old Testament times. Read and
meditate with these resources:
Sermons for the Sunday before Christmas
Genealogy of Jesus - Malankara World Journal Issue 114 (Dec 23)
Malankara World Journal Issue 43 -
Genealogy of Jesus (2011) |
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