4th Sunday of Advent - Year B - The Mother of Our Lord & “Night of Silence / Silent Night”
Friends, on this last Sunday before Christmas, the Church’s Liturgy reveals the true identity of our Redeemer. He is, as today’s First Reading (Mic. 5:1-4) says, the “ruler . . . whose origin goes back to the distant past.” He will come from Bethlehem, where David was born of Jesse the Ephrathite and anointed king. God promised that an heir of David would reign on his throne forever.
Jesus is that heir, the One the prophets promised would restore the scattered tribes of Israel into a new kingdom. He is “the shepherd of Israel” sung of in today’s Psalm (Psalm 79). From His throne in heaven, He has “come to save us”. Today’s Second Reading (Heb. 10:5-10) tells us that Jesus is both the Son of David and the only “begotten” Son of God, come “in the flesh”. He is also our “high priest,” from the mold of the mysterious Melchizedek, “priest of God Most High,” who blessed Abraham at the dawn of salvation history.
All this is recognized by John when he leaps for joy in his mother’s womb in the Gospel reading (Lk. 1:39-45). Elizabeth, too, is filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. She recognizes that in Mary, “the mother of my Lord” has come to her. Elizabeth blesses Mary for her faith that God’s Word would be fulfilled in her. Mary marks the fulfillment not only of the angel’s promise to her, but of all God’s promises down through history. Mary is the one they await in today’s First Reading—“she who is to give birth.” She will give birth this week, at Christmas. And the fruit of her womb should bring us joy—she is the Mother of our Lord.
As we come to the close of Advent, we would like to share our latest video “Night of Silence / Silent Night”, a song composed by Daniel Kantor to be sung simultaneously with "Silent Night" (this type of composition is known as a quodlibet). This recording and arrangement starts with two beautiful verses of Night of Silence, followed by two traditional verses of Silent Night.
Video can be watched by clicking here or on the picture below:
