Third Week of Advent

1 Sam. 1:24-28 & Lk. 1:46-56

In today’s first reading we see how grateful Hannah is to God for Samuel’s birth. She offers a sacrifice in thanksgiving.

Almost everyone young and old remembers and loves the story of Cinderella. She was the young woman who had to cook, clean and scrub while her stepsisters had a good time. But in the end she was the one chosen to marry the Prince. We enjoy this story because we are happy to see the proud cast down and the humble lifted. We like to support the underdog.

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. 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.

Luke 3:10-18

Once again John the Baptist can help us in our preparation for meeting Christ this Christmas Day, just as he helped his contemporaries to prepare for Jesus’ coming. His preaching was so effective that it made many people, even tax collectors and soldiers, ask him how they could be ready for the Messiah. Now he is asking each of us today, 'What preparations are you making for the coming of Jesus this Christmas?'

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.