The Fourth Sunday of Advent | 22 Dec. 2024 | 10:00 a.m. | St. Dunstan's |Carmel Valley CA

The readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent set a mood of anticipation, fulfillment, and divine intervention: Micah 5:2-5a: This passage speaks of a ruler coming from Bethlehem, bringing peace and security. It emphasizes the humble origins and the greatness of the one to come, setting a tone of hopeful expectation. Hebrews 10:5-10: This reading highlights the fulfillment of God's will through Jesus Christ, who offers himself as the ultimate sacrifice. It underscores the transition from old sacrifices to the new covenant, creating a sense of divine purpose and completion. Luke 1:39-45, (46-55): The encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is filled with joy and recognition of God's work. Elizabeth's exclamation and Mary's Magnificat (Canticle 15) celebrate God's favor and mercy, reflecting a mood of joyous anticipation and gratitude. Canticle 15 (or 3): The Song of Mary (Magnificat) is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating God's mighty deeds and mercy. It reinforces the themes of joy and divine intervention. Together, these readings create a rich tapestry of hope, joy, and divine fulfillment, as the faithful anticipate the coming of Christ and the realization of God's promises. THE COLLECT Micah 5:2-5a: This passage speaks of a ruler coming from Bethlehem, bringing peace and security. It emphasizes the humble origins and the greatness of the one to come, setting a tone of hopeful expectation. Hebrews 10:5-10: This reading highlights the fulfillment of God's will through Jesus Christ, who offers himself as the ultimate sacrifice. It underscores the transition from old sacrifices to the new covenant, creating a sense of divine purpose and completion. Luke 1:39-45, (46-55): The encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is filled with joy and recognition of God's work. Elizabeth's exclamation and Mary's Magnificat (Canticle 15) celebrate God's favor and mercy, reflecting a mood of joyous anticipation and gratitude. Canticle 15 (or 3): The Song of Mary (Magnificat) is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating God's mighty deeds and mercy. It reinforces the themes of joy and divine intervention. Together, these readings create a rich tapestry of hope, joy, and divine fulfillment, as the faithful anticipate the coming of Christ and the realization of God's promises. COLLECT God made known in the friendship of women, the word of greeting and unseen life enwombed: give us the courage of the teenage mother who brings into the world a song of joyful revolt and a God who needs her love; through Jesus Christ, the one who is to come. Amen.