FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Let us rejoice because the Lord is near to us and comes to bring us reconciliation. We will light the fourth and final candle of our Advent wreath. May this symbol remind us of the nearness of the coming of the Lord Jesus, who comes to bring us joy and hope. LET US CELEBRATE TOGETHER WITH THE VIRGIN MARY, BECAUSE WE WERE BLIND AND SHE GAVE US LIGHT, BECAUSE WE WERE SAD AND SHE GAVE US JOY. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Come, Holy Spirit, Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us by that same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in his consolation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Once again we gather, attentive to the announcement of the coming of God our Lord. The great feast of Christmas is approaching, the feast of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem and in our hearts. Let us prepare to receive our Savior by gathering around this wreath. Woman so silent and exalted, now more than the sun, you receive in your womb God himself, your Creator. What Eve lost in her search on a mysterious evening, you, Mother, return blossomed in the fruit of salvation. You who are the beautiful gate of the Most High King, Dwelling Place of Light, you opened the gate of heaven for us by giving us Jesus. Let Us Hear the Word of God Matthew 1:18-24 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But while he was considering this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. The Word of the Lord… Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. The presence of the Lord Jesus among us fills us with joy and gladness. It is the Mother who makes him near to us, who allows that Light to reach us and illuminate our lives. In the company of Mary, let us light the last candle of our Advent wreath. We now light the fourth candle, with the joy that Christmas is drawing near. A FLAME IS LIT TODAY Today a flame is lit on the Advent wreath let our hope burn in our awakened hearts and in the warmth of the Mother let us walk this season A first star is lit announcing the coming King prepare hearts make straight the paths Today a flame is lit on the Advent wreath let our hope burn in our awakened hearts and in the warmth of the Mother let us walk this season. Our longings grow as we see the second flame born, like sweet dew will come the Messiah made Child. Today a flame is lit on the Advent wreath let our hope burn in our awakened hearts and in the warmth of the Mother let us walk this season. Our joy today wants to sing for seeing three stars shine with Mary we await the Child with great joy. Today a flame is lit on the Advent wreath May our hope burn bright in our awakened hearts and in the warmth of the Mother let us journey through this season. Darkness flees at the sight of four flames shining bright Glory is near lift up your hearts. Today a flame is lit on the Advent wreath May our hope burn bright in our awakened hearts and in the warmth of the Mother let us journey through this season. Merciful Father, who willed that your Son be incarnate in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, hear our prayers and grant us your grace so that we may know how to welcome the Lord Jesus, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be ALL: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen