Fourth Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer

O Divine Master, You have taken notice of every detail

How beautiful are the changing of the seasons,

The way the night awakens into day; then fades into night again.

We are in awe of life and how we come to be in this world.

May we not take for granted the gift which you have given us;

The gift of your Son, JESUS!

Journal/Reflection Questions

2Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 16

• What can you learn from David about what God wants for you? What mistake does David make which you can learn from?
• Look back on this past year; did God speak to you through another person like Nathan spoke to David? What was the scenario?  How did you respond to God?

Romans 16:25-27

• What is Saint Paul saying about God’s Plan? How do you see this at work?  Do you see evidence of it not working?
• How would you describe the “mystery of faith” to a non-Christian person or to a child?

Luke 1:26-38

• Mary’s life changed when she said “yes” to God. How has your life changed?  Have you truly said “yes” to God?
• What if there was no evidence of Jesus until he came on the scene at the age of 30. Why do you think God sent Jesus to earth through Mary?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What gift did God give you this year? What gift has He promised you this Advent/Christmas?
• Reflect on a time when you gave more than you received in return. What did you feel?  How did you react?
• Reflect on a time when you received more than you gave. What did you feel?  How did you react?
• What does God reveal about Himself through the prophets of the Old Testament? What do you learn about God’s character through Jesus?
• What is your definition of love? What is your definition of forgiveness?  Can you have one without the other?
• What are the sounds you hear during this time of year? What images or memories come to mind when you hear them?  Where is God?
• What are some of the smells which come with the season? How do they make you feel?  Where is God?

Closing Prayer – Glory to God Prayer

Leader:  Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will.

ALL:  We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory,

Leader:  Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

ALL:  Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,

Leader:  Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

ALL:  You take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us;

Leader:  You take away the sin of the world, receive our prayer;

ALL:  You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

Leader:  For you alone are the Holy One; you alone are the Lord.

ALL:  You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

          with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God, the Father.  Amen

Challenge for the Week:   The story of Mary visiting Elizabeth is known by each of us but there is one who is sometimes overlooked when we remember the story…Zachariah.  He is Elizabeth’s husband and became mute soon after Elizabeth became pregnant.  The challenge this week as we come into the final days of Advent and enter into Christmas is to take some time to be quiet.  Perhaps this looks like setting aside a specific amount of time to be silent, maybe you turn off the radio in the car or refrain from turning on the TV.  This could also take the shape of NOT saying something negative or judgmental to a friend or relative when you are at a holiday gathering…to keep your mouth shut.  Then while being quiet, try to take in what you witness; like Zachariah, you might be a part of a miracle!