Advent 2024: Week 4 Reflection

And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.
- Micah 5:3b-4a

A Reflection
by Charlie Koop, Parishioner

Oftentimes when we think of Advent, we liken it to Lent. After all, both are preparation times for a major feast. But if we look at the scripture readings for the Sundays of Advent, there is an overriding theme that makes Advent quite distinct: the theme of expectation. In this year’s readings, we hear…

First Sunday: Jeremiah says, “The days are coming when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah… In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure.”

Second Sunday: Baruch writes, “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever.”

Third Sunday: Zephaniah says, “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart… The Lord, your God is in your midst.”

And finally, today we hear from Micah: “He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock… for now his greatness shall reach the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.”

This yearning, this longing for God’s presence, prepares and reminds us that on Christmas, we will celebrate God breaking through into our earthly lives in a brand new and unprecedented way. In the mystery and miracle of the Incarnation, God will walk with us, shed tears with us, struggle with temptation with us. God will grow, learn, love, and be among us as never before. Starting as an infant, God will experience and understand being human in a new and direct way. This is the fulfillment that the expectation of Advent and the gift of Christmas bring us. Let us rejoice!


Charlie and his wife Barbara have been parishioners for over 40 years, active in areas of liturgy and education.