December 22, 2024
Discover the deeper meaning and connections found in this week's readings, through these great commentaries written by our priests.
Explore this week's readings and hear what God is saying to us through His Word.
Find out more about how we can mark this special day in our liturgy.
See our music recommendations for the liturgy.
Micah 5:1-4
Micah’s prophetic promise that the longed for Messiah would visit his people is central to this reading; out of Bethlehem, the least of all the Clans of Judah, will be born a child who will rule over the house of Israel.
This child who is promised, born In time will bring unity and purpose to the sons and daughters of Israel. This promised child will eventually become a shepherd who will feed and take care of his flock (God’s people), and be a protective guide.
He will be the one who restores purpose and meaning, and will bring peace to the earth.
“In those days the prayer of praise will be: God of hosts bring us back, let you face shine on us and we shall be saved”.
Hebrews 10:5-10
The letter to the Hebrews is a joyous proclamation and a welcoming of this child, the fulfilment of a promise as Christ takes up his role as the longed for Messiah and proclaims his mission and his purpose with the following words: “God, here I am, I coming to obey your will. The promise of Micah’s proclamation of this first reading draws each of us closer to the promises of Christ’s nativity, Jesus born of Mary who will be a servant/shepherd, one who brings unity and peace for all people in all times, and in all ages.
Luke 1:39-44
The promised child is to be born of Mary, and Luke’s gospel is significant as it gives primacy of place to the role of a woman who brings forth the saviour. In addition, Elizabeth who gave birth to John the Baptist; these two women provide the human context for the service and role that Jesus is to play as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophesies; John will be his herald!
The prayerful union between Mary and Elizabeth (“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”), a prayer of Mary that accompanies each of us as we say evening prayer II. Elizabeth, for her part, reflects the coming of Jesus when she proclaims to Mary (“For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy”).
The readings for today are significant by bringing us closer to the dawn of promise and new hope.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
CCC 148, 495, 717, 2676: the Visitation
CCC 462, 606-607, 2568, 2824: the Son becomes incarnate to do the Father’s will
The Lord is very near; our celebration of the incarnation is just around the corner. With many preparations to make for the Christmas celebrations in a few days’ time, it’s good to be able to stand back and spend a few minutes in quiet contemplation. Will we be rushed off our feet by all the Christmas practicalities, or will Christ be born again for us, born in our hearts?
The final line of today’s 1st Reading could well be our motto in these days: “He himself will be peace.”
Penitential Act II (p. 1528) is appropriate for today.
The Missal designates Advent Preface II (p. 570), and Eucharistic Prayer III (p. 684) is a suitable choice.
Solemn Blessing 1 for Advent is on p. 709. Consider changing “you” and “your” to “we”, “us” and “our” throughout. (This is also a good practice for solemn blessings and prayers over the people generally: it enables us to include the priest as part of the praying community, as well as sounding less patronising.)
Sample intercessions:
We pray for those in the troubled places of the world, and especially for the people of Bethlehem, that the turmoil and division that surround them may give way to peace and tranquillity.
Lord, in your mercy — hear our prayer.
Let us pray for all women who are expecting babies, for their health and well-being, and for a safe delivery when the time comes.
Lord, in your mercy — hear our prayer.
We remember those who are approaching their first Christmas after the loss of a loved one. May we support them with our love, our prayer and our actions.
Lord, in your mercy — hear our prayer.
Hymns for Advent
Note: These hymns have been chosen from different sources.
Come Saviour, come like dew (CFE123, L95)
Long ago prophets knew (CFE375, L116)
Where are you bound, Mary? (CFE808, L343, LHON733)
O come, O come Emmanuel (CFE522, L112, LHON503, TCH8)
The angel Gabriel (CFE686, L113, LHON646, TCH36)
Key
CFE - Celebration Hymnal for Everyone
L – Laudate
LHON – Liturgical Hymns Old and New (Mayhew, 1999)
TCH – The Catholic Hymnbook (Gracewing)
Do you have questions about the liturgy and how we are called to participate in it? Explore how the Church councils, saints, and popes have answered this key question and many more.
Every movement of the Mass is rich in meaning but we can become over-familiar with it. Rediscover the Mass and explore how it relates to the Exodus story, where many of its rituals come from, and how it makes Jesus present to us today.
