Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are Micah 5:1-4, Hebrews 10:5-10, and Luke 1:39-45. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 80 (Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said,"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 20, 2015)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 20, 2015)

Community in Mission: A Summary of our Salvation - A Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (19 DEC 15)

The Deacon's Bench: "How Does This Happen to Me?": Homily for December 20, 2015, 4th Sunday of Advent (19 DEC 15)

Word on Fire: Mary, David, and the Theo-Drama (Cycle C * Advent * Week 4)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: A Mother's Greeting: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Advent (14 DEC 15)

The CWR Blog: The Virgin Mary bore the King and the Kingdom, the Messiah and the Church (19 DEC 15)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: Mary Had a Busy Advent (20 DEC 15)

Spirituality of the Readings: Spaciousness (4th Sunday of Advent C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Old Sons, New Key (4th Sunday of Advent C)

The Word Embodied: Stirring in the Womb (4th Sunday of Advent C)

Historical Cultural Context: Vigilance and Prayer (4th Sunday of Advent C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Guerric of Igny (4th Sunday of Advent C)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Fourth Sunday of Advent (18 DEC 15)