Originally published at National Catholic Register
User’s Guide to Sunday, Dec. 22
Sunday, Dec. 22, is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Mass readings: Micah 5:1-4a; Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45.
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we are close to the unfolding of the great mystery of the Word made flesh. We do well to pause and ponder what is taught to us today about the salvation that is to unfold. The first reading from Micah has four themes: humility, hardship, headship and healing.
The text begins, “And you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.”
Of all the towns and villages in the land of Judah, one of the lowliest was Bethlehem. Bethlehem remains lowly, troubled and humble, yet it was here that our Savior chose to be born. He did not choose nearby Jerusalem, distant Rome or any great imperial city. Here, one must descend steep, narrow steps into a cave, and once inside one must stoop lower still, kneeling on the floor, to touch the place where Christ was born. A lowly place in a lowly village — this
