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Fourth Sunday of Advent (Advent 4B)
Sunday, December 21, 2008

Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38

 
The Annunciation

Highlighted Verses: Luke 1: 26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

I have an announcement to make!

But before I do, let me ask you about that word. What is an announcement? (Solicit children's answers.)

That's right - an announcement is a special kind of message, usually one letting us know that something important is going to happen. You might have received certain kinds of announcements in the mail. Sometimes when people graduate or changing jobs they send out announcements. The leaders of our government make announcements on TV or in the newspaper. Your parents probably make announcements at home - like announcing when dinner is ready or when it's time to take a bath.

Today's gospel lesson contains a special announcement. In fact, it's such a special announcement that we even call it that: It is the story of "the annunciation." In this reading, the Angel Gabriel appears to a young woman named Mary and he announces that she is going to have a baby - and not just any baby - he tells Mary that her baby will be the Son of God. Mary is to be Jesus' mother.

That's quite an announcement! And it fits nicely with my own announcement, which is that we've reached the fourth Sunday of Advent - the month during which we prepare, like Mary, for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. And at last the time has come. We have only a few more days to wait.

Are you ready? Me too.

Let's pray.

Dear God,
Christmas is almost here. Fill our hearts with your love as we wait for the coming of your son, Jesus.
 
Amen.


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