Theme:
The fourth Sunday of Advent is the last Sunday before Christmas. It presents prophecies about the coming of Jesus.
Questions
Day 1: To put the first reading in context, the kingdom of Judah at that time was being attacked by another nation. Since the other nation was not able to conquer Judah, it allied itself with another nation. This brought fear to the king of Judah. It is in this context that Isaiah went to Ahaz, the king of Judah and spoke to him. Isaiah told Ahaz to be strong because these two nations will not be able to conquer Judah. To prove this, Isaiah challenged Ahaz to ask God for a sign.
When Isaiah told Ahaz to ask for a sign, did he give any limit as to what kind of sign Ahaz could ask?
What does that tell you about God?
We often encounter challenging situations because God wants to reveal another aspect of himself to us. Is God challenging you at this point in your life? If you are afraid, this is normal. What is important is that you go beyond your fear and trust God. What should you do to show that you trust God?
Day 2: Continuing from the first reading, Ahaz did not want to test the Lord so did not ask for a sign. Because of this, God himself gave Ahaz a sign. Notice the sign that God gave. the young girl will bear a son and shall name him Immanuel. God was referring to a specific woman and he was able to say that the child would be a son.
What does the sign show about God?
We are all meant to live a full life. Do you think that you are living the life that God has prepared for you? Is there something more to your life than what it is now?
Immanuel means 'God with us'. How does that apply to your life now? Do you believe that God is with you through difficulties, triumphs, sadness and joys?
Day 3: The psalm shows us the power of God. It tells us that God owns everything.
The hill of the Lord refers to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is believed to be the place where God lives. Applying this to us, the hill of the Lord can refer to a place where God lives. Where is your hill of the Lord?
How will you ascend the hill of the Lord?
The psalm tell us who can ascend the hill of the Lord. How is that applicable to your life?
Day 4: In the second reading, St. Paul talks of the Good News of God about his Son. He proceeds to speak of Jesus being born of the flesh.
How is the coming of Jesus in the flesh a good news?
How is this relevant to your life now?
St. Paul says that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. What does this mean?
Day 5: The second reading continues to speak about what we received from Jesus.
What did St. Paul mean when he said that we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith?
St. Paul says that we belong to Jesus Christ. What does it mean to belong to Jesus?
How is that considered as good news for you?
Day 6: The gospel reading narrates how Joseph decided to take Mary as his wife. During those times, the fate of an unmarried woman found to be pregnant was death. By taking Mary as his wife, Joseph saved Mary from death and provided the home for the Son of God.
Joseph was mentioned as a righteous man. In this gospel reading, what did he want to do that showed this? What did he eventually do?
The gospel reading says that Joseph thought about these things. What was going through his mind at that time? Considering that the message was through a dream, what do you think made Joseph obey it?
Day 7: During those times, having a child out of wedlock was not acceptable. Death was a certainty for the woman. And if someone came to rescue her from death, as was the case of Joseph, gossips and insults were also expected. Facing these difficulties, Joseph took Mary as his wife.
The gospel reading quotes from the first reading. The first reading was written centuries before the birth of Jesus. What is the significance of this?
The name Jesus means 'God saves'. The angel said that Jesus will save his people from their sins. What does this mean?
How can Jesus save you from your sins?
