Fourth Sunday of Advent Year A
Isaiah 7:10–14
Psalm 24:1–2, 3–4, 5–6
Romans 1:1–7
Matthew 1:18–24
The Fourth Sunday of Advent this year opens for us a full week of preparation and waiting for Christmas. Already, the readings anticipate the message that will be given to us on Christmas: “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.”
We learn of the mystery surrounding the virginal conception and are taught that it is the fulfillment of prophecy. “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”
In a world that has grown weary of war and sadness and loss, hope is offered through a divine intervention that reaffirms the goodness of the world. Salvation will come by God Himself revealing His Presence among us in our own human nature. “Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.”
The surprise of the moment of the arrival of the King of Glory is not taken away, but it is given as a mystery of faith, requiring human beings to cooperate and to welcome divine intervention.
Mary and Joseph each have a part in assenting to the fulfillment of prophecy. Mary gives her own human nature to the Son to be conceived at the moment of her assent. Joseph, as a son of David, will give this title to the Child to be born of the virgin.
In our response through faith, we also have a part, accepting and welcoming the One Who fulfills prophecies and proves true the promises we have received from God.
Advent has taken its turn from a look toward the coming of Christ in majesty at the end of the ages, to immediate preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, His “first coming” in history. The daily liturgy highlights the prophetic fulfillment in the “O Antiphons” that are part of the Prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours:
Dec. 17: O Sapientia
O Wisdom
Dec. 18: O Adonai
O Lord
Dec. 19: O Radix Jesse O Root of Jesse
Dec. 20: O Clavis David
O Key of David
Dec. 21: O Oriens
O Dayspring
Dec. 22: O Rex Gentium
O King of the Nations
Dec. 23: O Emmanuel O God-with-us
The first letter of each expression put together from Dec. 23 backward spells out the phrase “Ero cras,” which is Latin for “I will be there tomorrow.” Day by day, we build up an expectation full of hope, and our hearts become ready to receive the Guest, God-with-us.
May we live this time of longing and waiting with confidence in the One Who has promised to send us a Savior. May our hearts be ready to accept and welcome the King of Glory when He comes.