Introduction - 4th Advent (A)

December 18, 2022

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VIDEO DRAMATIZATION

This video reveals the birth of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-25. In particular it shows how God reassured Joseph to marry Mary, through a dream, and told him to name the child “Jesus”, because He would save people from their sins. Video is courtesy of LUMO Project Films.

SUNDAY GOSPEL VIDEOS

FIRST READING

GOSPEL

CELEBRANT'S INTRODUCTION

Doubt and Confusion

Doubt and confusion are not unique to us, even in matters essential to our faith. People have long asked for signs from God when they are in turmoil. Joseph’s deep question about Mary is the focus of today’s Gospel. His moving forward on the strength of answers given in a dream should be a source of deep encouragement for us. Serious questions are not inappropriate; in fact, they can lead to amazing answers and events.

SOURCE: Excerpt by Joan DeMerchant; taken from the Cycle C Sunday Resources feature series. View the full series which has commentary, planning and prayer resources originally published in Celebration, the pastoral and worship planning resource which served readers from 1972 until 2019.

4th Sunday of Advent (A)

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Opening the Word

Isaiah 7:10-14

She shall name him Immanuel

Isaiah’s message to Ahaz is to watch for signs of God’s work.
The sign Isaiah describes, that a virgin shall be with child is used in the Gospel of Matthew to show Mary’s virginal conception of Jesus as a fulfillment of this text.
The name of the child, Emmanuel means “God with us.”

Romans 1:1-7

In him we have been given the gift of being apostles

In the introduction to the Letter to the Romans, Paul reflects on the identity of Jesus.
Jesus is a son of David “according to the flesh”—thus he is the Christ, the Messiah.
Jesus is also the Son of God. Through his Resurrection, he has acquired the title Lord.

Matthew 1:18-24

God is with us

Matthew gives a genealogy for Jesus that assures us that Jesus is a son of David, because his legal father, Joseph, is of the house of David.
In today’s Gospel, Joseph is also instructed to trust.
The name Jesus is related to the Hebrew word “savior.”