Third Week of Advent

Is. 7:10-14 & Lk. 1:26-38

Through Isaiah we have that wonderful prophecy of Mary and the coming of our Messiah, “The Maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.”

Judges 13:2-7,24-25 & Lk. 1:5-25

The birth of Samson, like John the Baptist’s, was announced by an angel.

Zechariah and Elizabeth knew the sorrow of being childless. In the society in which they lived, children were regarded as a blessing and a sign of God’s favour. Failure to produce children was seen as a curse. This belief was wrong. Why should God curse such devout people as Zechariah and Elizabeth? Zechariah was a priest who served in the temple and both he and his wife lived holy lives.

Jer, 23:5-8 & Mt. 1:18-25

Jeremiah is prophesying that we will have a king, a righteous shoot of David, who will reign and govern us wisely. Jesus Christ is the Messiah-King who not only guides us in our lives, but also gives us the means of achieving real unity.

Gen. 49:2, 8-10 & Mt. 1:1-17

Many people are interested in tracing their roots and learning something of their ancestry. Most of us would like to know where we came from and what factors conspired to make us who we are.

Zeph. 3:1-29-13 & Mt. 21:28-32

In the first reading we see that the rebellious and defiled will not listen to the call of God, but there will be salvation for those who are humble and repent. The prophecy of Zephaniah can be summed up in the words, ‘Messianic salvation is promised to all the poor in spirit’.

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17 & Matt. 21:23-27

Is: 61:1-2,10-11; I Thess: 5:16-24; Jn: 1:6-8,19-28

In the Old Testament, God our loving Father, carefully and gradually revealed news about the coming of our Redeemer. When the time was imminent, He sent John the Baptist who, when he appeared in the wilderness and told people to ‘make a straight way for the Lord,’ awakened echoes of the promised Redeemer throughout the land. It brought all kinds of people - Pharisees and Sadducees, outcast publicans and semi-heathen soldiers among them – who forgot their differences to come and listen to him.

Is. 7:10-14 & Lk. 1:26-38

Through Isaiah we have that wonderful prophecy of Mary and the coming of our Messiah, “The Maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.”

Is. 56: 1-3, 6-8 & Jn. 5:33-36

The Prophet Isaiah has welcome words for those who do not belong to the Jewish race. He tells them that God rejects no one so long as that person will accept Him. “Foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord to serve Him and to love His name and be His servants” He will make joyful in His house of prayer. Their sacrifices will be accepted.

Is. 54:1-10 & Lk. 7:24-30