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Advent Week Four - Tuesday
By Pat Lee | December 20, 2011
Tuesday - December 20th: “He will save his people from their sins”
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm 24:1-6 Matthew 1:18-24
Reflection: Mary was asked to assume a tremendous responsibility. It had never been heard of before that a child could be born without a natural father and she was asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws of nature. That required faith and trust in God nd in his promises. Second, Mary was not yet married. Pregnancy outside of wedlock was not tolerated in those days. Mary was espoused to Joseph, and such an engagement had to last for a year. She was asked to assume a great risk. She nonetheless believed and trusted in God’s promises.
Joseph, a righteous man, did not wish to embarrass or punish his espoused wife, Mary when he discovered that she was pregnant. To all appearances she had broken the pledge to be faithful to one another. Joseph was not hasty to judge or to react with anger. God provided him with assurance that God had called Joseph to be the husband of Mary and to assume a mission that would require faith, confidence, and trust in God. Joseph believed and obeyed and took Mary as his wife and accepted the child in her womb as the promised Messiah. Like Mary, Joseph is a model of faith for us. He is a faithful servant of God’s offer of redemption. Are we ready to believe in the promises of God, even when faced with perplexing circumstances and what seems like insurmountable problems? God has not left us alone, but has given us his Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are invited in Advent to prepare to celebrate Christmas by renewing our faith and hope in God and in his redeeming work.
“Lord Jesus, you came to save us from the power of sin and death. May we always give thanks for the forgiving love of God revealed in you and trust in your will to redeem your world”.
Topics: Advent |
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