Fourth Advent Reading

As we begin this fourth Sunday of Advent, we remember the world the Messiah was born into, was a world dominated by Rome. One which was anticipating e disruption of an imperial registration, a census, and the taxes that followed. Life was disrupted, chaos was the norm, there was no light in the darkness, and for many hope was gone. It would have seemed to those who walked those streets nothing good was coming. Much like our lives today, evil goes forth, radical change is the norm, nothing is certain, well except maybe death and taxes. Yet, for those who looked for hope, in an out of the way small town, the much anticipated Savor, the King of the world was lying in a manger.

 

(LIGHT CANDLES 1,2,3, AND 4)

 

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

 

 

(Join us in Prayer)

Dear Father,

As we celebrate this fourth Sunday of Advent, we give you not the manger of our lives, or just a room in the inn, but our entire lives. We ask that you forgive us when we have only allowed you a small corner because we had no room for you. We now look forward with anticipation for the work of transformation you can and will do in our lives. You are being born in us anew this season. For this great gift of light and life, we thank you. In the name of the one who brings us light, Jesus. Amen