Advent A4
December 23, 2007

With thanks to page sponsor:
journeywithjesus.net
Daniel B. Clendenin, PhD
A weekly webzine for the global church - lectionary essays, books, film, and poetry.
(Sept 07-08)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources for each individual pericope:

Isaiah 7:10-16
Roman Catholic reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
Episcopal RCL reading: Isaiah 7:10-17

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 24:1-6
Episcopal RCL reading: Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25
Roman Catholic reading: Matthew 1:18-24

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings (NCCB/USCC) from the New American Bible.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: Traditional BCP - RCL.
  • The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA Edition). At Felix Just S.J.'s The Roman Catholic Lectionary For Mass - a site featuring comprehensive tables of editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
  • Lutheran lectionary readings, Year A,   from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings.
  • Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year A.
  • Free Church version for Baptist, Reformed, and Congregational use Revised Common Lectionary Readings.
  • ELCIC Worship Planning Calendar, lectionary citations with and without hymn suggestions, text and pdf formats.
  • Lutheran RCL CEV readings - .doc files. Lutheran Bible Ministries.
  • PCUSA - Lectionary for Sundays and Festivals Scripture Reference, 2007.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Annunciation
    • Mystical/Liturgical/Enthroned Madonna
    • St Joseph
    • Nativity
    • Madonna and Child/Holy Family
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Mary, Mother of Jesus
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Advent 4A, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Advent 4A, 2007. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Advent 4, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Advent 4, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Advent Commentaries, Fourth Sunday in Advent, Perry Yoder, Mary H. Schertz, Jacob W. Elias, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
  • Text Studies, Advent 4A, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Preaching Helps (Advent 4A, 2007). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Progressive Bible Study: Matthew 1:18-25, Pastor Dan, Street Prophets.
  • Jesus Now, Advent 4A. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Advent 4A, 2007, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Stories & Anecdotes, Advent 4, collected by Jack Lohr, Presbyterian Church at Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Advent 4A, 2007, Paul S. Nancarrow, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 23, 2007, Joy L. McDonald Coltvet, Currents in Theology and Mission.
  • SAMUEL, Advent 4, 2007, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • "God with Us!" Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Advent 4A, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "A Wondrous Mystery," Anecdotes, Stories & Humor, Steve Goodier, Christ United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Starters for Sunday, 23 December 2007. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Estudio Exegético-Homilético, Diciembre de 2007, Instituto Universitario Isedet.
  • Lectionary at Lunch: MP3, Windows Media, and Real Audio files of lectures by professors at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, MO (LCMS).
• Lists of recommended articles are available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Isaiah 7:10-16
  • Psalm 80
  • Romans 1:1-7
  • Matthew 1:18-25
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Do Not Be Afraid," Blogging toward Sunday, Erin Martin, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2007.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, "What about Joseph?" RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2007.
  • Lectionary Haikus: Joseph, Among the Hills.
  • "Who Wants to Wait?" guest essay by Lindsey Crittenden, The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2007.
  • "Is It Immanuel or Emmanuel?" Angela Bauer-Levesque, Randall C. Bailey, Caroline Redfearn, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign. (LGBT perspective)
  • "God Is With Us," Laurel A. Dykstra, "A Prophetic Call," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2007.
  • "What Can We Expect?" Keith A. Russell, Reflections on the Lectionary for December, 2007, The Living Pulpit.
  • Daily Reflection, Advent 4, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2007.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Fourth Sunday of Advent, John Pridmore, Church Times, 2007.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2007.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Advent 4A, 2004. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
  • "What Child Is This?" Frederick Niedner, The Christian Century, 2004.
  • "Bette Midler Was Wrong," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2004.
  • "Flesh in Our Own Lives," Isaac Miller, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The Witness, 2004.
  • "God-With-Us," Michaela Bruzzese, "Digging for Treasure," Sojourners, 2004.
  • "Wake Up!" by Michaela Bruzzese. Living the Word lectionary-based scripture commentary from Sojourners Online, 2001.
  • "Christ for the World," Ruth A. Meyers, The Christian Century, 2001.
  • "Practicing Fidelity," Rosalind Brown. Commentary from The Christian Century, December, 1998. At Religion Online.
  • Living the Word, by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary-based scripture commentary at Sojourner's Online, 1995.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
  • Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels, Year A. Prepared by the Reverend Michael Pollesel, Stewardship Education Coordinator, Diocese of Ontario.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • "Believe in the Dreams of the Person You Love," the Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Day 1, 2007.
  • Selected Sermon, Advent 4A (RCL), by the Rev. Amy Richter, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2007.
  • Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors, 2007.
  • "A New World Birth," the Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Day 1, 2004.
  • "What's In a Name?" Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2004.
  • "The Mystery and Power of the Virgin Birth," Advent 4a, the Rev. Dr. Winfred B. Vergara, Sermons that Work, ECUSA, 2004.
  • "A Real Holy Joe," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2001.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Advent 4, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Holes," Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2007.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Advent A, The Episcopal Church, 2007.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Advent 4A - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Bible Study - Advent 4 - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS.
  • Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders guide and participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings.
• A list of links to on-line Bibles and general Bible study resources.
• A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion groups and their homepages.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources 

• The Text This Week's Advent Resources Page.
• Richard and Charlene Fairchild's comprehensive "A Holy Christmas".
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Advent 4, 2007): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Advent 4, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • "Jesus, the Compassion of God," Fourth Sunday of Advent, Worship Ways, United Church of Christ, 2007.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Advent 4A, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Worship and Music Resources for Advent 4A, John Maynard, posted by Will Hume at Word & Table.
  • Mustard Seeds, "A Life Uncommon / Courage," Advent 4A, 2007. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Advent 4, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Liturgies Online, Advent 4, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Advent 4, (includes litanies, "artistic elements," etc), Rev. Nancy Townley, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Advent 4A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Advent 4A, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Liturgy Alive, Advent 4, Claretian Publications, Inc., Philippines.
  • "Facts of Life!" Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
  • Liturgy for Advent, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. Adapting Advent to the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada:
    • "Being Prepared: Saying Yes to God's Love"
    • "Christmas Love"
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
• Advent Candle Liturgies
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Advent 4, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Lector's Notes, Advent 4, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Prayers of the People, Year A - Advent 4. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • The Billabong, Advent 4, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Outside the Box, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker. Other Advent Resources.
  • Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Advent 4A. Chris Haslam, Diocese of Montreal.
  • Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Advent 4A, 2007, Ciona D. Rouse, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Offertory Prayers for December, 2007, Herb Mather, Director of the Center for Christian Stewardship, the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church.
  • Starters for Sunday, 23 December 2007. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Lighting of Advent Wreath Litanies for Year A, The Rev. Sheila N. McJilton, St Philip's Episcopal Church, Laurel, MD. Free use, please attribute to author.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Prayer of the Church, Advent 4, 2007, Let Us Pray, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Advent 4A. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics & Multimedia:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Free Public Domain Clipart for Church Bulletins: Mary, Church Bulletin Resources.
  • Clip Art, Advent 4, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 1:18-24, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Advent 4 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
  • Mustard Seeds, "A Life Uncommon / Courage," Advent 4A, 2007. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • "Faith and Doubt, Hope and Fear, Joy and Sorrow - And Dreams," Lisa Bellan-Boyer, eBulletins reflections, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
  • Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • SAMUEL, Advent 4, 2007, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Advent 4A, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "Lord, Be to Us a Source of Joy," F. Richard Garland, Advent Hymns with Lectionary Texts, Year A. United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
    • "The Lord's Messiah Comes,", a hymn for Advent by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Can We Pledge Our Lives Today?" TEXT: Mark Ryman (2004) based on Matthew 1:18-25. TUNE: "Canterbury," by Orlando Gibbons (1623). New Hymns for the Lectionary.
    • "Indescribable Gift," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, new hymns set to traditional tunes.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Worship and Music Resources for Advent 4A, John Maynard, posted by Will Hume at Word & Table.
    • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
    • Gathering, Advent 4, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
    • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
    • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
    • Traditional Hymns for Blended and Contemporary Worship Volume One: Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, by Dean McIntyre, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
    • Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts.
    • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
    • Starters for Sunday, 23 December 2007. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Advent 4A. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Together to Celebrate, December 23, 2007, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Sing for Joy, Advent 4A, 2007. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Advent 4. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
• With Children (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Gathering, Advent 4, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • "The Christmas Story," "The Names of Jesus," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • Proclaiming Faith, Advent 4A - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Younger Children & Older Children, Advent, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2007.
  • "To See God," Rev. Dr. Edgar Mayer, Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Ideas and Talks for Advent, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
• Drama (see listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.