Advent 4 (year A)- Isaiah 7; Matthew 1

By the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Scripture readings are filled with anticipation of Christ's birth. The Old Testament selection from Isaiah 7:10-17 is a famous passage that prophesies the future of Israel. There are two aspects of the message: warning of judgment and hope for redemption. The hope in the prophecy is the sign of the child born of a virgin. This child will be called Immanuel, "God with us." Of course, Christians have always understood this prophetic hope as pointing to Jesus Christ.

Psalm 24 is a well-known praise of the Lord God as the king of glory who comes among His people. This psalm takes on special meaning in light of our anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child.

Romans 1:1-7 is the Apostle Paul's introduction of himself and his message to the church at Rome. In these verses, Paul emphasizes the reality of Christ's incarnation as the fulfillment of Scripture and the expression of divine grace.

Matthew 1:18-25 is a brief account of Jesus' birth from Joseph's perspective. It highlights his acceptance of the virgin birth under divine guidance. Joseph realizes the holiness of his betrothed and of her son. He is instructed to call Him Jesus, a name which comes from Hebrew meaning "the Lord will save." This brief account reminds us of two realities. It affirms the importance of Joseph's role in the plan for redemption, and it also points beyond Joseph to the greater importance of Jesus, the Redeemer. May the Gospel reading and all the Scriptures deepen our appreciation of the reasons for the celebration!

Advent 3 (year A)- James 5:7; Matthew 11:3

The readings for the Third Sunday of Advent emphasize the prophetic message and the hope for deliverance.   The first lesson from the Old Testament is in Isaiah 35:1-10. The imagery of this passage looks toward deliverance. Nature will be renewed and at peace, even among the beasts. Human beings will be strengthened and redeemed.

Psalm 146 emphasizes that one should trust in God, not in human leaders. God is the only true hope for all in the midst of earthly trials.

The reading from the New Testament is from the letter of James. The theme of James 5:7-11 is contained in the opening verse- "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord" (ESV). As Christians, we live between the times, between Christ's great work of redemption and its final triumph with His coming again. As we anticipate this, we live in patience and hope.

The Gospel from Matthew 11:2-15 shows John the Baptist in prison   He sends two of his followers to Jesus, and they ask if Jesus is the expected Messiah. We are not told why John asks. Perhaps he needed personal reassurance, and he probably also wanted his disciples to encounter Jesus. In any case, Jesus replies with a two-fold proclamation. First, He points to the redemptive acts taking place in His own ministry. Secondly, He points to the purpose and value of the prophetic work of John the Baptist. Then, our Lord concludes with an exhortation to His hearers to hear, that is, to be sensitive and perceptive to events. May we also be sensitive and perceptive to God's redemptive work!

Advent 2 (year A)- Isaiah 11:1-10; Matthew 3: 1-12

The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent focus on prophecy in differing ways. It has sometimes been said that there are two great characteristics of prophecy: foretelling or predicting and forth-telling or proclaiming. Both aspects are important. Biblical prophecy predicts certain future events in the divine plan; it also proclaims the message of divine redemption. During Advent, we see both in our readings.

The Old Testament lesson is the famous passage from Isaiah 11:1-10. It looks forward to a time when an ideal king will arise from the house of Jesse, king David's father.

Psalm 72:1-7 prays for the king and people to prosper and looks forward to the Messianic age.

The epistle reading comes from Romans15:4-13. The Apostle Paul speaks of the value of the Holy Scriptures, and he applies several Messianic prophecies to the saving work of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel selection is from Matthew 3:1-12. It concerns the work of John the Baptist. He fulfills certain prophecies from the past, and he is also the last of the Hebrew prophets pointing to the Messiah. He preaches repentance and redemption. May the same Holy Spirit which inspired the Biblical prophets inspire us to believe and live by their message!