For the remainder of this reading plan, we will spend the Sundays before and after Christmas lingering in the longing, waiting, and expectation of the season by reading a short passage from Scripture.
The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
—Luke 1:35
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31 thoughts on "The Fourth Sunday of Advent"
Great are you Lord Yahweh!
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Praying Mandy. Praying that you will see God working in your business, providing for you each step of the way.
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@Jlynn and Gramsiesue- My sister and I are 13 months apart, me being the younger! We had a built-in best friend to this day! My mom said it was easier like you explained being so close!
@Dorthy- love that! Did you see The Chosen Christmas last year? I thought it was a good depiction of Mary, and her being so young and scared, yet faithful!
@JLJ- I had not heard the history behind that song- O Holy Night- but it has always been one of my favorites.
I love that I got a text today from my son and gf that they went to a new church today! They are college-age, on their own and they tried one a couple of months ago and didn’t really “like” it. I figured when they said there was another they might try, that it might never happen! So I’m praying they will go again…and again…!
K- I just saw your post and I am so sorry to hear about your husband losing his job. I pray that God will provide
Foster Mama, GramsieSue, JLynn, and everyone who is praying thank you so much ! I am alternating between excitement now and still fear a little bit-now instead of being worried about having 2 babies at once I am just praying that this second one is healthy. January 11 seems impossibly far away
Are you ready for Christmas? Like …heart and soul ready? That’s what matters!
As I have spent this advent season feeling rather indifferent and wondering why the season no long feels special, I feel a deep sense of longing and waiting for the Lord to reveal himself. I guess it’s not so dissimilar to what we are looking at this advent season. We found out last week my husband is being laid off from his job. This came as a huge hit and big surprise. We cannot afford to only have one income, but he also loved this job and was finally feeling good about the work he was doing. Knowing that we are not in control, we feel like we are sitting with open, empty hands. It’s difficult to sit and read about the control we don’t have and the longing I so deeply feel.
Good Morning ☁️ on this 4th Sunday of Advent. Yep, it’s cloudy BUT enjoying sitting next to our lighted Christmas tree. My heart ♥️ is filled with Joy to read throughout the comments in congratulating me finishing my class!! How sweet!! And thank you for all the responses in praying for my son as he’s purchasing is first car! It looks like he may be purchasing it tomorrow. Please keep praying. I LOVE this beautiful community. BTW my son appreciates you all praying.
Oh Victoria E!!! That really is wonderful!
I realized I was pregnant when my 3rd child was 9 months. Not exactly what I planned either.
But God…
Those two babies were so closely knit growing up together that even now they are best friends at age 27 and 28.
You will have God with you through everything.
Hugs to all. ❤️
@VICTORIA E… I have to share that I was in your same situation… My daughter was exactly 9 months old, when I found out that I was pregnant again. I was very nervous, wondering how I could care for two babies at the same time; and worried that I wouldn’t be able to split my heart in two; I loved my daughter so very much; she was our whole world!!! Well… it turns out, I never had to split my heart in two; instead, when my son was born, by heart doubled in size; I had a full heart for each of my children; my love was never “split” between them. And God provided the energy and strength that I needed to care for them every day. In some ways, it was easier… they were into the same activities… took them both to baby music classes and the playground together; even what they watched on tv was the same because they were almost at the same stage of development. I read books to both of them every night; they had their baths together (until they were a bit older); went to bed at the same time every night. They were one grade apart in school, so for most years, they were both in the same school and took the school bus together. My kids are now 18 and 17 years old; they have many friends in common and love spending time with one another; they are such good friends. I now think what a blessing it was that my children were born so close together!! God gave you these babies for a reason; he knows that you are their perfect caretaker; he will provide what you need on this journey!
From my understanding of many of the commentaries I have read Mary was fairly young — late teens (I wonder about that) to early twenties — can you imagine having an angel of the Almighty Lord come to you and tell you ” “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” ” I think I would have been “dumb-founded” if I hadn’t fainted. Me of all people and wonder what your family and fiancé say. Then I would wonder “why did the Lord choose me of all people? There are women out there who are “grander than I”.” It’s just so AMAZING and WONDERFUL and GLORIOUS how God comes to poor, down-trodden, grief-stricken, destitute, lowly and lonely in their time of need.
AWESOME, Almighty Father thank You, thank You, thank You for sending Your One and Only Son, Christ Jesus. Thank You for having Him start His life in humble means. But MOST OF ALL thank You for having Him die on the cross to wash away my sins and every one’s sins. Remind us that ONLY You, Christ and the Holy Spirit are the perfect ones and You except us NO MATTER what we have done or said, all we have to do is ask for forgiveness. In Christ’s name amen.
Be blessed and KNOW the Triune LOVES you no matter what you have done sisters.
Thankful the Lord scheduled a day of rest!
Prayer request please for family of long time friend of ours that passed away yesterday from a very recently diagnosed aggressive cancer – the family & friends are in shock.
KELLY (NEO) – Shannon’s mom has been making slow progress. We have not heard from him this week but plan to touch base soon. Thank you
Praying for
KARRIE – relief from anxiety and its triggers
MARI – congrats again, praying for wise decision for son’s car and trustworthy sellers
SAGE KOLODGE – guidance and peace
JULIE ROBERSON – release for your daughter from the hold of alcohol, freedom from depression and PTSD. And thank you to her for her service.
TINA – yep, love meeting here ❤️ lots of hugs and love to you!
Amen
Amen
I had similar thoughts when I went to see a performance of the Messiah at the Philadelphia orchestra this week. A large number of people standing during the Hallelujah chorus- many don’t believe at all. Is that true worship? Maybe not for them, but for me yes. I couldn’t help but consider how someday all will bend the knee to him, believing or not, and how terrible that day is for those who don’t believe. So in the meantime I hold out hope that when Truth is proclaimed in song even by atheists, someone will hear and believe.
I didn’t know O Holy Night was written by an atheist. As I flipped to the song in our study book, I have to consider if this matters? To me, or to God. With the Spirit there is Truth. So if the ink that flowed words from the spirit of antiChrist, I do think it matters. As I consider all of the cries of heartfelt prayers, pleading for God’s grace, mercy and intervention, I think it matters where we go for comfort and what we sing for Divine inspiration. I know the story of the disciples coming to Jesus about outsiders casting out demons. They reportedly acted in the name of Jesus, but did not follow His ways. Jesus told His followers not to stop them because “who is for us is not against us” or something along those lines. God also used a donkey, and many other ways to speak to His people. So, if an atheist writes a song that sounds holy? I am still not sure I will keep singing it. There are so many other songs and poems written by people with true seeking hearts for God that I would feel safer repeating. Sometimes digging unearths truth I didn’t expect to find. But once I know, I know. It won’t stop me digging for the Truth. And I have a choice of what I do next. O Lord, guard and protect my soul. For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, O Lord are kind and good, and very merciful to all who call upon You. (Psalm 85(86)). Hear our prayers Lord, comfort us. Guide us to Your Truth. Protect us. Lead us in the way of Everlasting. Selah. Maranatha. Amen.
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❤️ I have been listening to the SRT podcast each week as they dissect the passages we read each day I highly recommend it. Such great and deep discussion to continue our advent season.
So excited to be going into this 4th week with everyone!
Good Morning Lovely She’s! Happy Sunday!
@Foster Momma- Thanks for sharing that about the babies, I love that you give all the credit to God for getting you through! I would only be able to do it that way as well! lol I only had 1 easy baby boy. My sister had 4 and she was exhausted for 20 years! (she still kinda is with 3 still living at home, and one having a 1-year-old daughter :)) I didn’t have that kinda momma superpower.
I can’t believe it is Christmas next Sunday. Hard to feel like it in sunny, warm Florida, although I wouldn’t trade it! I love the look of snow, from the inside! But it is still festive with all the lights and decorations. It is my favorite day of the week to go to church! I remember just over a year ago asking for prayer to find a church here that will feel like home, and God sure answered that prayer! We are going early to see if they need greeters because we love interacting with everyone! So happy my husband loves it as well! I have several friends that I know whose husbands refuse or just don’t want to go. So many things to be thankful for!
Wishing you all a beautiful day and week!
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Lord let there be Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men. In Jesus name, Amen
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The fourth Sunday of Advent focuses on the peace that Jesus brings our hearts and our world.
2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
JULIE ROBERTSON.. Praying for peace of heart and hope in beloved daughters soul. God is near, Julie, He will never leave her, not forsake her..
Much love wrapped in prayers..❤
RHONDA J.Thankful you are here, love you sis..❤
DOROTHY, BUT GOD right!
Prayinging your prayer of reconciliation for all estranged families with you..❤
MARK V, CONGRATULATIONS girrrrl! Well done sis. Glory to God..❤
Also praying your sons choice of car is God lead and perfect for him!❤
SAVE KOLODGE..Leamington find peace and direction.. ‘Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest..’ came to mind. Look to Him.❤
TRACK GENDRON..❤ praying your heart is knowing peace..❤
KARRIE.. let me join you in praying, as the good book says..’ Where two or more are gathered I will be with them..’
Praying dear sister..❤
MICHELLE PITIRE..❤
SEARCHING..I LOVE YOU SIS!
I don’t say this enough! You are like the prayer warrior friend I’d like to have met..
BUT GOD..
We do meet… HERE, right? ❤
LINDA GARVER.. it is just the best when our children find their way to God, isn’t it? Praying for your daughters new and exciting and sometimes scary journey…
BUT GOD.❤
KELLY (NEO)❤
CHURCHMMOUSE..Thankful we meet here, and your size sites that sink feel friend..
Grace and Truth will reign forever..❤
Happy Sunday to you all my precious SRT sisters.. so, so lovingly covered and doubly wrapped in love and prayers and hugs.❤❤❤
Oh,our lovely @ VICTORIA E ❤️…I am elated for whatever God’s has planned for you and echo the words of many She’s!
Our home has proudly been a “one-baby-at-a-time” home — and that baby gets all of our focus, just the way WE like it!! When our sweet foster baby boy was 2, we found out his mom was pregnant…we said “Yes, of course we will take that baby to keep the siblings together!” (but HOW?!…Our life and home aren’t “designed” for this!) One nice thing about having a single baby is you can often sleep when they sleep (especially a naturally sleepy lady like me!! :D)….LONG story short, not only did we have a very active and inquisitive 2.5 year old who required a ton of attention and a newborn… the newborn had a (never fully diagnosed) condition where she SILENTLY spewed milk out of her mouth and nose simultaneously, at frequent but random times, in NO particular pattern, occasionally turning her lips blue. So we watched her like a hawk 24/7 and still needed to keep big brother well and stimulated all day while managing the up & downs of the birth family…
I’m not trying to scare you…I am actually giving God a GIANT PRAISE because he supplied all the ENERGY and physical, emotional, spiritual, etc..resources to do what each and both kids needed!!! I am CERTAIN I don’t have a TENTH of that energy with an easy-ish baby now…BUT I don’t need it!! God SUPPLIES what we need in way we don’t expect is possible, when we need it!! And I am convinced it was Him using our bodies.
Sweetie, whether you are pregnant today or it doesn’t end up happening again for 3 more year…HE HAS YOU…ALL 3 or 4 of you!!!
God (and we) have been with you throughout your infertility journey…and your hand will continue to be held ❤️