The Institute for Christian Formation
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 18, 2011
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. When you light the candles on your Advent Wreath today you will light all four candles – three violet and one rose. This is our last week of Advent, and this year, since Christmas falls on a Sunday, we do have an entire week of Advent left. (Next year, the Fourth Sunday of Advent will fall on December 23, and there will be less than two days in the Fourth Week of Advent.)
The Gospel proclaimed at Mass today is Luke 1:26-38, the story of the Annunciation. We just heard this Gospel proclaimed ten days ago at
Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8. This is a beautiful Gospel passage, and we often spend much time reflecting on Mary’s faithfulness – her fiat – her “yes.” Perhaps in our prayer and reflection this day we might also spend time reflecting on the Archangel Gabriel’s role in salvation history. There is a lovely Basque carol, “Gabriel’s Message,” which would be a nice addition to our prayer this Fourth Sunday of Advent. You can download the score for this hymn here.
The Annunciation
Detail from Mural by Gerhard Lamers, 1953
Annunciation Church, Cincinnati, Ohio
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"Archangel Gabriel - Annunciation"
by artist Gerhard Lamers
Annunciation Church, Cincinnati, Ohio
The name Gabriel means “God’s strength.” Gabriel, who made some important announcements in the Bible, is the patron of telecommunications and of the postal service. (Think of hearing an announcement on the television news, or of receiving an announcement in the mail!)
Invite children to reflect on the Archangel Gabriel. What do they think Gabriel looks like? Let them draw a picture or an icon of the Archangel Gabriel. Enjoy a snack of Angel’s Food Cake. Perhaps you could serve the cake with raspberries and blueberries to bring a hint of Advent colors to your treat!
Today is December 18, which also means on this day our “O Antiphon” is “O sacred Lord” or, “O Adonai.” Today’s antiphon recalls the sacred Lord of ancient Israel who appeared to Moses in a burning bush and gave the Law on Mount Sinai. We ask this same Lord to come now to set us free.
