2014 Advent Wreath Meditations: Fourth Sunday of Advent (McIntyre)

Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 21, 2014

[Light the first three candles of the Advent wreath.]

After the angel came to Mary and told her that she would conceive the child in her womb and would call him Jesus, Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38, NRSV.)

And Mary sings her Song of Praise:

…My soul magnifies the Lord…he has scattered the proud

…He has brought down the powerful from their thrones

…He has lifted up the lowly

…He has filled the hungry

…He has provided for the poor (Luke 1:46-55)

We marvel at Mary, the mother of the Messiah, herself a single, teenaged mother, herself poor and powerless. But she understood that the baby she would call Jesus was sent, not just to her, but to the world…

…To the hungry
…To the weak
…To the very young and the very old
…To those who suffer or are in pain

[Light the fourth candle of the Advent wreath.]

We light this fourth candle to remember Mary, the mother of Jesus. May the light of this candle also remind us that the light of Jesus shines for everyone.

ALL: COME, LORD JESUS. AMEN.

Recommended Songs:

• “Come, Let Us Dream,” Worship & Song, no. 3157, st. 2&3
• “Star Child,” The Faith We Sing, no. 2095
• “Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly,” The United Methodist Hymnal, no. 272, st. 1

Links

Advent Wreath Candlelighting Meditations for Home and Church – 2014

First Sunday of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent

Third Sunday of Advent

Christmas Eve

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