This Sunday's Sermon is offered by The Rev. Thomas Squiers, BOSA, of Fort Worth. Father Tom is an Oblate Priest and is the Co-Director of Guadalupe House in Bedford of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He is the Chaplain of Integrity Fort Worth and also serves as the Vicar General of the AOCC's Diocese of Texas.
Today's Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday in Advent comes from Matthew 1:18-25. This group of verses tells about Joseph's reluctance to take Mary as his wife when learns that she is already pregnant. What the verses do not explain is Jewish custom concerning marriage and virginity. It was important to keep the "marriage bed" clean by abstaining from any intercourse prior to marriage.
When Joseph, who abided by these Jewish laws and customs, learned of Mary's pregnancy, his first thought was to shun her as he felt that she had wronged him. That night, after having learned of Mary's disposition, Joseph had a dream in which an angel sent from God explained that Mary has been selected to give birth to the Messiah which the Jews had long awaited and the Torah spoke about - especially according to the Prophet Isaiah. The angel explained how Mary conceived of the Holy Ghost and that Joseph was to name the child Jesus. Following the dream, Joseph followed the angel's instruction by taking Mary as his wife and when the Messiah was born, he was named Jesus.
As we celebrate the last Sunday of Advent, we look for Christ coming as a babe, as the Emmanuel. And yet, I wonder how often do we look at Christmas as an opportunity to ready ourselves for our Second Christmas with Jesus – the day Christ shall return not as a baby but as the Lord of humankind and gather his Church on earth? That is what Advent is all about – preparation. Christmas is to celebrate the coming of Christ. The Second Coming is what Christians hope for. It is even what the Apostles hoped for.
So this Christmas as you open your gifts, sip your eggnog, and gather around the Christmas Tree – take this as a time to reflect upon your relationship with Christ, the Emmanuel, and meditate upon how ready you are should he reappear for that Second Christmas. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel.”
While we are captive in our own right to sin and the bondage of this life, we look for Christ to reveal himself soon in Glory when we shall truly take our part seated at His feet of His throne.
Advent Blessings and Have a Merry Christmas!
When Joseph, who abided by these Jewish laws and customs, learned of Mary's pregnancy, his first thought was to shun her as he felt that she had wronged him. That night, after having learned of Mary's disposition, Joseph had a dream in which an angel sent from God explained that Mary has been selected to give birth to the Messiah which the Jews had long awaited and the Torah spoke about - especially according to the Prophet Isaiah. The angel explained how Mary conceived of the Holy Ghost and that Joseph was to name the child Jesus. Following the dream, Joseph followed the angel's instruction by taking Mary as his wife and when the Messiah was born, he was named Jesus.
As we celebrate the last Sunday of Advent, we look for Christ coming as a babe, as the Emmanuel. And yet, I wonder how often do we look at Christmas as an opportunity to ready ourselves for our Second Christmas with Jesus – the day Christ shall return not as a baby but as the Lord of humankind and gather his Church on earth? That is what Advent is all about – preparation. Christmas is to celebrate the coming of Christ. The Second Coming is what Christians hope for. It is even what the Apostles hoped for.
So this Christmas as you open your gifts, sip your eggnog, and gather around the Christmas Tree – take this as a time to reflect upon your relationship with Christ, the Emmanuel, and meditate upon how ready you are should he reappear for that Second Christmas. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel.”
While we are captive in our own right to sin and the bondage of this life, we look for Christ to reveal himself soon in Glory when we shall truly take our part seated at His feet of His throne.
Advent Blessings and Have a Merry Christmas!
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