4th Sunday of Advent
Reading I: Isaiah 7:10-14 II: Romans 1:1-7
Gospel
Matthew 1:18-24

18 Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit.
19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us."
24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.


Interesting Details
One Main Point

Our King, Jesus, Son of God, comes to dwell among us through such simple, struggling and heroic figures as Joseph and Mary.


Reflections
  1. What do I plan to do to prepare for the arrival of Jesus into my home and my soul this Christmas, coming in a few days?
  2. Have I grown from confusion to trust and enlightenment like Joseph, or to despair and withdrawal?
  3. How do I find the will of the Lord?

Enter Reader's Response or View Reader's Response this week
A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community

Previous Next