Fourth Sunday of Advent Year A 18th December 2022
Lectionary Readings:
Isaiah 7 v10-16; Psalm 80 v1-7, 17-19; Romans 1 v1-7; Matthew 1 v18-25.
Poor Mary!
By tradition, Mary is the focus of the fourth Sunday in Advent, though you would be hard put to evidence that from today’s readings!
This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David’s family. But before they were married, she learnt that she was going to have a baby by God’s Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1 v18). Matthew then goes on to tell the rest of his story from Joseph’s point of view! Poor Mary has no voice in Matthew’s gospel and he hardly mentions her again. Thankfully, Luke tells us more.
Matthew’s focus is on Jesus as the promised Messiah, he frequently refers to Hebrew Scripture to evidence that Jesus is God’s anointed Son. The gospel opens with a ‘proof’ (a list of Joseph’s ancestors) that Jesus came from the family of King David and also from the family of Abraham. (v1).
For Matthew, God has delivered on his promise to provide us with a saviour. So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet said, “A young woman will have a baby boy and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1 v22).
The Psalmist pleads with God to help his people, by empowering “the one who sits on your right side, the one you raised to be your own. Then we will never turn away. Put new life into us and we will worship you.” (Psalm 80 v17-18).
In the opening of his letter to the fledgling Christian church in Rome, the apostle Paul follows Matthew’s example, by stating at the outset who is the focus of his writing and thinking.
From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. God chose me to be an apostle and he appointed me to preach the good news that he promised long ago by what his prophets said in the Holy Scriptures. This good news is about his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! (Romans 1 v1,2).
Mary features in the fourth verse of Mark Earey’s advent candle hymn. (Singing the Faith 165).
Advent 1 Advent candles tell their story as we watch and pray,
longing for the Day of Glory, ‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness changed for gladness on that day.
Advent 2 Prophet voices loudly crying, making pathways clear,
glimpsing glory, self-denying, calling all to hear.
Through their message – challenged, shaken – hearts awaken: God is near!
Advent 3 John the Baptist, by his preaching and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching, news of hope restored:
Keep your vision strong and steady, and be ready, for the Lord.
Advent 4 Mary’s gift, beyond all telling, was to give Christ room.
She gave God a human dwelling in a mother’s womb.
Who would guess the final story? – cross and glory; empty tomb!
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English version.