“Listen! You are to conceive and bear a Son”
Its only in this last week before Christmas that we begin to hear about the Christmas story itself. For the past weeks we have been preparing ourselves to greet the Lord, when he comes. Now we prepare to remember how he first came, by listening to the prophecies of his coming, and by hearing of the events before his birth. We meet the woman, Mary, who herself had been prepared for the coming of the Messiah. She has received the angels greeting, and his strange news, and has accepted her role in Gods plan. Now she hurries to her kinswoman, Elizabeth, who herself bears John the Baptist in her womb. John, just as we heard last week, alerts us to the presence of the Lord, as he leaps for joy in his mothers womb. His joy is that God has kept his promise, and is with his people
Today’s Scripture (Psalter: Week 4)
Micah 5: 1–4
Out of you will be born the one who is to rule over Israel.
Response: Psalm 79
O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
shine forth from your cherubim throne.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
O Lord, come to our help.
God of hosts, turn again, we implore,
look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it,
the vine your right hand has planted.
May your hand be on the man you have chosen,
the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again:
give us life that we may call upon your name.
Hebrews 10: 5 – 10
Here I am! I am coming to obey your will.
Acclamation for the Gospel:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
I am the handmaid of the Lord:
Let what you have said be done to me. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Luke 1: 39 – 44
Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord!
Prayer of the Fathful
R/. Oh Lord, come to our help
