A Reflection on the Readings of the Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ by Mary Ann Allen

Is 7:10-14

Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Rom 1:1-7

Mt 1:18-24

A BABY NAMED "SAVE" *

As I was reflecting on the beautiful readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, I was struck by the fact that Jesus was given two names. As Isaiah prophesied long ago that a child would be born who would be called Emmanuel or "God is with us", this prophecy was referred to again in Matthew's Gospel by the angel who spoke to Joseph in a dream hundreds of years later. The angel also made known to Joseph that the child that Mary would bear would not only be called Emmanuel, but he was to be named Jesus, a name that has its roots in the Hebrew verb, to save.

"God is with us to save" would be the name of this wonderful child soon to be born. The dream obviously made a profound impression on Joseph; for when he awoke, he immediately took Mary into his home as his wife. He had no more qualms about her pregnancy and his actions saved Mary from being stoned. He would always protect and care for Mary and the child as we will learn in future Gospel stories. Even though Joseph's world had turned upside down, his fidelity to God's commands reflected the same "obedience to faith" that Paul speaks of in his Letter to the Romans.

Paul reminds us that we are called to be holy. The Psalmist describes the person who is holy as one whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean and who desires not what is vain. He calls us to let the Lord enter our hearts, as Joseph brought Mary into his home. The Lord is standing at the door, waiting to be invited in.

Paul also reminds us that we are the beloved of God. It doesn't matter whether we are Jew or Gentile; whether we have different beliefs or customs; it is our common humanity that is the important thing. God loves us all and the Good News that Jesus brings applies to each one of us.

Sometimes it appears that God is silent and we long for a response from Him. Nevertheless, we maintain hope that God has not abandoned us; because long ago, He came among us as a helpless baby, whose name was "Save"... and He is with us still.



* Phrase coined by The Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann,

Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA