Lectionary Reading Advent 4 Part 2
An Advent Prayer; Eternal God: through long generations you prepared a way in our world for the coming of your Son, and by your Spirit you are still bringing the light of the gospel to lives in need of hope. Renew us, so that we may welcome Jesus Christ to rule our thoughts and claim our love, as Lord of lords and King of kings, to whom be glory always. Amen. (Presbyterian Prayer Book. )
Reading. Romans 16:25-27 Paul is confident that the gospel he preaches contains the true witness to who is Jesus Christ. It is this witness which gives “his gospel” the power of God of which Paul is not ashamed! Jesus presented himself in word and deed as Messiah. As such he was the embodiment of God’s promises of kingship and salvation for all. Paul brings the good News (gospel) bearing witness to Jesus and so brings the message of God’s salvation. As that good news is received and one believes, the action of salvation takes place in each believer’s life and they are established as being “in Christ”. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV) “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”. It is the action of God which strengthens each believer giving them the assurance of God’s love. The mystery of which Paul writes is that God had always planned to eternally unite humanity with himself. In Jesus Christ, this planned for mystery is now revealed. With that revelation comes the confident hope of God’s faithfulness and love: A revelation which establishes us not only in this life but also in the life to come.
Prayer. Almighty God, your powerful word transcends all generations and still remains effective today, calling us to faithful living and honourable service. By your Holy Spirit, may we hear your word clearly and with obedient hearts follow with praise and thanksgiving. Free us from all that would hinder our witness in your name; grant that as we rejoice in the story of our Lord’s coming among us, that we may still be ready to see him at work in our world. We pray that the worship of your church around the world would bring afresh the message of our glorious Saviour and many hear the good news that Jesus Christ came to gather in that which was lost. To you Lord be all honour and praise, now and for ever. Amen
Reading Luke 1:26-38. Luke’s story of the virgin birth is an indispensible part of the Christmas story and the Christian story. Luke reminds us that the choice of Jesus’ birth is God’s alone. The angel is sent to Mary and her part is simply to accept what the angel announces to her. Mary, like every human being needed Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Also, Luke makes it clear that Joseph plays no part in this birth save that Jesus will be born into the house of David to whom Joseph belongs. Mary hears the word from God and believes and through believing the word Jesus is conceived. In Luke’s story Jesus comes as a completely new beginning, and one who is holy from birth. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15, Christ is the new Adam, and his birth marks the start of the New Creation. This Jesus comes as king and his kingdom will know no end. The word that the angel announces to Mary brings into being the incarnation, God is linked directly to all humanity: He is Emanuel, God with us. This transaction follows the same pattern of every believer. We hear God’s word and believe and we are linked with and in God. Believers like Mary are chosen, not because they are special but because of God’s choosing. As Jesus reminds us; “You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, …” John 15:16 (NRSV) In the Christmas story, all is of God and from God. Yet as we remember the Christmas story we do have to marvel at both the faith and the courage of Mary. How audacious to simply accept what God had chosen to do through her. While the bible says very little about Mary either before or after the birth of Jesus; the one thing that we can say is that she was a woman of great faith. “Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38 (NRSV)
Prayer. Holy Lord, as we remember the faith and the courage of Mary, we also remember the great faith of all the witnesses who down through the ages have responded to your call and announced again and again that Jesus Christ is Lord. So now, we too remember his Lordship and praise you that Jesus came and lived among us. With him came the prospect of a new beginning and a harmony with you. We thank you and we praise you for this time of remembrance and rejoice in the Good News that as your word declares; His kingdom will never end. May we celebrate his coming, looking forward to that time when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. To you Lord God be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen
Collect. O God, Mary’s ‘yes’ inspires our faith, and stirs us to obedience; may your Son so live and grow within us and among us, that we may gladly give our lives for you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God now and for ever. Amen.
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