Fourth Week of Advent - The Miracle of Jesus

Even as the world around us has filled with the hustle and bustle of the season of giving, we have worked together to still our souls, de-clutter our lives, and lift our hearts and minds to God so as to prepare a fitting space for the light of Christ to be born within us. In the midst of dark and cold, an angel's voice rings out with hope to a world in desparate need, and a new mother's cry pierces the night inflaming our hearts with her love.

Let us pray;

“Lord, fill our hearts with your love,and as you revealed to us by an angel the coming of your Son, so lead us through his suffering and death to the glory of his resurrection, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen”

Read Matthew 1:18-24
“...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. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’”

Reflect
Today we rest in awe, in wonder, at how our God entered our world and came to be with us. We pause to receive the gift offered us: that the Spirit of God will open up our lives and that Jesus will really come into our hearts. May we have watchful hope today, believing what the Lord promises us. We pray that we might be God's servants, that we might be instruments of God's love for our families and all we serve this week.

Pray
Father, all-powerful God, your Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. Amen