You Must Be a Subscriber to View This Page
Fourth Sunday of Advent • Year C
December 22, 2024
Click on black & white clipart (above left) or color Scripture graphic (above) to view and download full resolution graphics for use on bulletin covers. • Tutorials available
Historical Collect
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. With your great might, give us your help, that whatever is hindered by our sins may be speedily accomplished by your grace; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)
Thematic Collect
God of righteousness, stir up your Spirit among us that we may delight in your will and follow in faithful obedience and humility until that day when your Son returns; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
People of faith discard feelings, favoring instead, the promises of God, whether it feels true or not. God is present with us, even when he seems hidden. But only faith can apprehend this mystery. Doing things—from sacrifices to other forms of piety—are not good for controlling these feelings of hopelessness. Only faith in the promised one of old, the one who has come to do God's will, who died for our sin, will do. He is the blessed fruit of Mary's womb, the one who makes our souls to sing.
First Reading • Micah 5:2-5a
Sometimes the people of God feel abandoned, as though God were not there. Yet, there has been a promised one from ancient times, even from before time, from the beginning (John 1:1), who would become the Shepherd of his people. He will be their security and peace. Though the feeling may elude us sometimes, faith finds a way to the promise.
Psalm • Psalm 80:1-7
From time to time, God hides his face. He has not left us but it is hard to see his smiling countenance, to feel his favor. Sometimes, the very reason his face is hidden is so that we will seek him in prayer. He who sits enthroned on the ark still dwells among his people. We no longer see the ark; the cherubim are long lost. Yet God is still here among us.
Second Reading • Hebrews 10:5-10
The old ways of animal sacrifice were ended so that a new and better way could be established. God took no pleasure in continual offerings of flesh. Yet, he gave his Son a body to be sacrificed. This was his will: that his Christ would come into the world and offer himself one time for the sins of all the world.
Gospel • Luke 1:39-45, 46-56
We sing hymns and lift our hands; we pray and offer God words of thanks. But have our very souls magnified the Lord? Has the spirit deep inside us leaped for joy at the nearness of Jesus? While still in his mother’s womb, John who would become known as the baptizer, leaped with such joy. Mary then sang these words: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” for blessed was the fruit of her womb.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
