Gospel for the day -  4th Sunday of Advent - Year A

Matthew 1:18-24
‘Jesus was born of Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, son of David.’


Now, the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’


All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel’ —
which means, God with us.


When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife.



This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week.

Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts. If you are interested in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word please email us: cluster.alpha@outlook.com




Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


Here we have Matthew's account of the Annunciation in which an angel speaks to Joseph rather than, as recorded in Luke's gospel, an angel speaks to Mary. As with Mary's "let it be" to a motherhood outside of her betrothed state, so Joseph goes against the accepted law and agrees to take a pregnant Mary as his wife. Jesus is born through the breaking of the status quo. God enters the world with a direct challenge to the mantra that boasts "it's always been done this way".


Indeed, his whole life is a continuation of that challenge to the way the world thinks is normal. Christmas is about transformation, but the 'how' for us personally has to start with us looking at 'our normal' and comparing it to the gospel message. This is not a one-off job, nor even a weekly job - it's the work of a lifetime. To learn about his lifetime as we live our own is to read the gospel regularly and often - and to allow it to transform us one day at a time. Perhaps we could try reading the gospel daily for a while? Apart from the book form, there are plenty of free options online such as www.universalis.com and www.catholic-daily-reflections.com


Q1. The most used phrase in the Bible is: "do not be afraid". It was said both to Joseph and Mary. Resolve to nibble away at your fear of doing God's will for you.

Q2. Whom do you find it difficult to welcome in your life? What can you do to overcome that?


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession

We pray for Pope Leo as he proclaims the truth of the Gospel to the Church and the world, that anointed by the Holy Spirit, his words will open hearts and minds of all so that the light of Christ will shine more brightly in places of darkness.

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come


As we approach the celebration of God becoming man in an occupied land, we ask the Holy Spirit to open the hearts and transform the minds of politicians and military leaders, so hope and peace will be born where there has been despair and destruction. We pray especially for the people of Gaza and the Holy Land, those affected by the shooting in Sydney, the people of Sudan, Ukraine and Nigeria.

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come


For our faith communities here in Edinburgh, that in welcoming the Christ child at Christmas we will grow in faith, hope and love as a community of believers in Jesus, and inspired by Our Lady and St Joseph, be faithful witnesses to the love of God in challenging times.

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come


Let us joyously celebrate the coming of our Saviour by opening our hearts and giving generously to all those in need at this time and throughout the year.

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come


Oh Lord, bring your healing power to those who are enduring pain and illness, those who are suffering from bereavement and all those on the prayer foundation list. We pray that the Holy Spirit will be with them and their families and that they will receive all the love and support they need at this time.

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come


For those who have died recently, for those who are grieving and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time, We remember especially Chris Hampton, Christopher Bell, Pauline Aylott, Brian Phillips, Stuart Millikin Alesandra Inglis, Mary Brogan and Irene Turnbull.
May they rest in peace and live in glory in the Lord’s Kingdom

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come

We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.

Cluster prayer

Lord continue to bless our community in this time of transition.

Help us on our journey to grow from a maintenance church to a missionary church.
Give us the courage to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and prejudice.

Kindle in us the fire of your love that all who come here will find joy, peace and love.

Make this a house of prayer and a gateway to your kingdom.

AMEN

Preparing for the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

John 1:1-18
‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.


There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.


The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness about him, and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.” ’


For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only begotten God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.


This is the gospel of the Lord.



We wish you and your loved ones a holy and joyful Christmas and a peaceful New Year 2026!


The Prayer Resources will take a two-week break until 10/11 January.