SUNDAY: December 23, 2007
4th Sunday of Advent
1st reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-6 (with 7c & 10b)
2nd reading: Romans 1:1-7
Gospel reading: Matthew 1: 18-24
Application:
Love is the theme of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A good definition of love is in the name that
we see in the first reading and again when the prophecy is fulfilled in the Gospel reading:
Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." To have love is to have "God with us". To give love is
to give God who is with us.
Have you ever felt like you've run out of love to give? Well, that's quite impossible, because God
who is love is always with us even when we give out more love than we think we're ready to give.
We might get tired of loving someone who doesn't equally love us back. We might even reach the point of despising someone who repeatedly hurts us, which makes us feel like we've run out of love for that person.
This is when we need to ask God for a supernatural ability to love with HIS love. This prayer
always works! It's how we become effective evangelizers as distributors of his love. If we give
God's love to those who are unpleasant to love, we're revealing to them God who is with us.
And when we're worn out and feeling empty because others are not loving us like they should, we
need to remind ourselves that God is with us — we need to call upon Emmanuel. God who is
with us already loves us completely, fully, unconditionally, whether or not we deserve it. While
we're looking for others to love us more than they do, we feel unloved, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus, his love fills in all the gaps.
Emmanuel. It's a name for Jesus that we should use year-round. As you finish preparing for the
celebration of Christmas, focus on Emmanuel. Sing to Emmanuel. Pray to Emmanuel. This sign,
this reminder, this name is God's personal Christmas gift to YOU.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
1. What is your personal Gift to Jesus for this Christmas?
My personal gift is to read the Bible more so as to learn more about him and His works. above that, i must commit to His teachings and follow them for they are ideal, espicially in today's world which is in dire need for His salvation and coming. I really hope this year's Christmas is SPECIAL, for i've tried many things new and spiritually enhancing. i believe it'll really be. haha. you know, my family keeps complaining, or rather is shocked, at how fast Christmas is arriving. But I cant wait for it to come, along with Emmanuel (GOD IS WITH US). PRAISE THE LORD. AMEN
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
1. What is the best Christmas gift you've ever received from God?
2. Why did it make you feel loved?
4th Sunday of Advent
1st reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-6 (with 7c & 10b)
2nd reading: Romans 1:1-7
Gospel reading: Matthew 1: 18-24
Application:
Love is the theme of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A good definition of love is in the name that
we see in the first reading and again when the prophecy is fulfilled in the Gospel reading:
Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." To have love is to have "God with us". To give love is
to give God who is with us.
Have you ever felt like you've run out of love to give? Well, that's quite impossible, because God
who is love is always with us even when we give out more love than we think we're ready to give.
We might get tired of loving someone who doesn't equally love us back. We might even reach the point of despising someone who repeatedly hurts us, which makes us feel like we've run out of love for that person.
This is when we need to ask God for a supernatural ability to love with HIS love. This prayer
always works! It's how we become effective evangelizers as distributors of his love. If we give
God's love to those who are unpleasant to love, we're revealing to them God who is with us.
And when we're worn out and feeling empty because others are not loving us like they should, we
need to remind ourselves that God is with us — we need to call upon Emmanuel. God who is
with us already loves us completely, fully, unconditionally, whether or not we deserve it. While
we're looking for others to love us more than they do, we feel unloved, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus, his love fills in all the gaps.
Emmanuel. It's a name for Jesus that we should use year-round. As you finish preparing for the
celebration of Christmas, focus on Emmanuel. Sing to Emmanuel. Pray to Emmanuel. This sign,
this reminder, this name is God's personal Christmas gift to YOU.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
1. What is your personal Gift to Jesus for this Christmas?
My personal gift is to read the Bible more so as to learn more about him and His works. above that, i must commit to His teachings and follow them for they are ideal, espicially in today's world which is in dire need for His salvation and coming. I really hope this year's Christmas is SPECIAL, for i've tried many things new and spiritually enhancing. i believe it'll really be. haha. you know, my family keeps complaining, or rather is shocked, at how fast Christmas is arriving. But I cant wait for it to come, along with Emmanuel (GOD IS WITH US). PRAISE THE LORD. AMEN
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
1. What is the best Christmas gift you've ever received from God?
2. Why did it make you feel loved?
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