The Fourth Sunday of Advent 2021

Today is Sunday the 19 December, the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Josh Garrels sings, ‘What Child Is This?’

Today’s reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 10:5-10

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
   but a body you have prepared for me; 
in burnt-offerings and sin-offerings
   you have taken no pleasure. 
Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God”
   (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).’ 
When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sin-offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘See, I have come to do your will.’ He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Christmas is now very close, though it is important to say that it has not yet come. In today’s reading we are invited to contemplate what Jesus’ attitude was when he came into the world. How would you describe that attitude?

“See, I have come to do your will, O God”. How could you adopt this attitude of Jesus in your own life?

Now listen again as the passage is read a second time. Is there one phrase that really strikes you? What is it telling you?

Finally, what is going on in your heart now? Can you turn that into a prayer to God? What difference will the coming of Christmas make to you?

O Wisdom
Lord and Ruler
Root of Jesse
Key of David
Rising Sun
King of the Nations
Emmanuel
Come, Lord Jesus