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Samuel 2:1b, 2, 5b–7; Antiphon, Luke 1:46b–47—As the birth of our Lord
draws near, the sense of anticipation and expectation is heightened. The
antiphon is taken from the Magnificat, the song of the blessed Virgin when she visited
and was blessed by Elizabeth, and the as-yet-unborn John leaped in Elizabeth’s
womb in joy of being in his Savior’s presence. The entire antiphon looks
forward to the salvation of the Lord, the salvation made concrete when the Son
of God assumed flesh, and the salvation which was accomplished when He died on
the cross. By His death and resurrection, He has brought us to life, made us
rich, and exalted us.
The theme for the Fourth Sunday in Advent is How
God Sent His Son. Next Sunday, we turn our attention toward the
Nativity of Our Lord. With Mary we await the coming of the Christ, her Son,
conceived in her womb by the Word and Spirit of God. As the Lord dealt
graciously with her and did great things for her (Luke 1:48–49), so
also he manifests Himself and His glory to us in mercy and gentleness. He comes
to rule His people in peace, to “shepherd His flock in the strength of the
Lord.” He comes forth not from the great capital city of Jerusalem, but from
lowly little Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, 4). He comes to sacrifice Himself, in fulfillment of His
Father’s will, for the salvation and sanctification of His people (Hebrews
10:10). He who once visited Elizabeth while hidden in the womb of Mary (Luke 1:39–45), now
comes to visit us today, hidden in the lowliness of simple water, bread and
wine.
Collect
for the Fourth Sunday in Advent: Stir
up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which
weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and
reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.-13
December 2021—
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