4th Sunday of Advent

Advent Reflections by Aaron Voth, ’05
Interim Director, CSB Campus Ministry

Luke 1:39-45 (NRSV)

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be[a] a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Meditation

Today’s Gospel is a beautiful story on so many levels: it shows us the special relationship between Mary and Elizabeth, and the bond which was only strengthened by their simultaneous pregnancies; it demonstrates Christ’s absolute power, that even when was in the womb the mere sound of his mother’s voice was enough to make another unborn child leap with joy; and it reminds us of the many fulfilled promises of the Lord which are sprinkled throughout Scripture. As we meditate on the many blessings this Season of Advent has given us, may we all leap for joy as we encounter Christ – and may His presence in our hearts cause those we encounter to be blessed as well.

Reflection Questions

Who is the person in your life who causes your heart to leap with joy because of the way they embody Christ?

What promises of God have been fulfilled in your life recently?

Prayer

God of Joy,

We thank you for the many blessings you have given us this Advent Season. Thank you for being a God who keeps His word and fulfills His promises. We ask that we too would bring joy to others this Christmas. May all who know us know your Son’s presence through our words and actions.

For this we pray, Amen.