The Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Micah 5.2–5a
Hebrews 10.5–10
Luke 1.39–45

‘He shall be the one of peace.’ We can feel the sigh of relief rising from prophet and hearers alike. To a world of uncertainty, fear, wars and rumours of wars, there comes the news of a king whose rule will establish peace and security. The portrait combines different elements: the child to be born from the house of David, the shepherd who will feed his flock, the peaceful ruler of the entire world, and, more puzzling, one ‘whose origin is from of old, from ancient days’. Somehow the coming king will embody the presence, and saving power, of Israel’s God...