As Advent comes to an end we anticipate the Holy Savior’s birth
Reflections on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 19, 2021): MI 5:1-4; PS 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; HEB 10:5-10; LK 1:39-45
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
His greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; He shall be peace” (Micah 5:1,3-4).
In the last Old Testament reading for Advent we hear the prophet Micah speak with great hope during what was one of many hard times for the people of Israel. He directs their attention to a little town that might have been just one more obscure place. However, it was the hometown of the great King David where he was anointed to rule over his people. So the idea that village would be the birthplace of the one who would be the Shepherd of God’s flock seemed completely appropriate. “Thus says the Lord: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. … His greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; He shall be peace” (Micah 5:1,3-4).
“He shall be peace.” We call Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace. And so He is. But that does not mean that those who believe in Him and follow His way will have peaceful lives – anymore than He did. With our minds on Christmas only a few days away, it is easy to think of the quiet and calm of the night Jesus was born. Yet we soon hear how another king, the wicked and arrogant Herod, tried to have Him killed and how other infants were slaughtered. We know how as an adult Christ was arrested, tortured and crucified. Yet we also know that His sacrifice was for our sake – for our eternity. And just as our beloved Lord suffered for us, many of His disciples suffered for Him. That was so two thousand years ago and it remains so today. But we also know that is not the end of the story. Our Lord has already written the happy ending. He who lay down His life for us and who gave Himself to us as the Bread of Life desires our everlasting welfare. So it is beautifully apt that the Holy Child who grows up to save the world was born in Bethlehem which means house of bread.
Suggested missionary action: During the remaining days until Christmas, let’s read quietly each day from the beginnings of the Gospels according to Ss. Matthew and Luke about the coming of the Christ Child. Let’s think about how we respond to His love for us and for all people.