` Advent 4 - Rorate Coeli

Advent 4 - Rorate Coeli



Readings and Basic Resources

Lectionary Central on Advent IV

Book of Concord Reading

BAPTISM – As we hear of the preaching of John the Baptist, it is important to note the gifts that God gives through baptism by water and the Holy Spirit.  From the Smalcald Articles, Part 3, Article 5:

V. Of Baptism.

1] Baptism is nothing else than the Word of God in the water, commanded by His institution, or, as Paul says, a washing in the Word; as also Augustine says: Let the Word come to the element, and it becomes a Sacrament. 2] And for this reason we do not hold with Thomas and the monastic preachers [or Dominicans] who forget the Word (God's institution) and say that God has imparted to the water a spiritual power, which through the water washes away sin. 3] Nor [do we agree] with Scotus and the Barefooted monks [Minorites or Franciscan monks], who teach that, by the assistance of the divine will, Baptism washes away sins, and that this ablution occurs only through the will of God, and by no means through the Word or water.

4] Of the baptism of children we hold that children ought to be baptized. For they belong to the promised redemption made through Christ, and the Church should administer it [Baptism and the announcement of that promise] to them.

All Book of Concord quotations are taken from the Triglotta, copyright 1921 by CPH.  It is in public domain.

From the Church Fathers

All power rests in Christ. Do not ignore but welcome Him. Neither let Him pass on by nor look for another. For God has resolved that this Man should be all in all. Whoever comes to Him will find redemption from sin, death, and hell. So He is the way, the truth, and the life. Through Him alone all patriarchs, prophets, and apostles from the beginning of the world have been saved. John the Baptist knows this well. Therefore, he steers people away from himself to the Christ, so that they will not ignore so great a treasure. Furthermore, this is why the Lord God sent John the Baptist. For He knows that we are always trying to save ourselves. But John points to Christ Jesus as our only way and salvation. (Blessed Martin Luther)

We are incapable of discovering the Word became flesh, and how the Life of the World came to life within the womb of His Mother. The sandal-straps of His shoe are therefore the seals of a mystery. John the Baptizer was not worthy to untie Our Lord's shoe, because he was unable to search into the mystery of His Incarnation. It is as though he were to say, "I am unable to comprehend the Mystery of Christ's birth." Behold John, filled with the Spirit of prophecy, shines with knowledge. Yet he plainly declares that as to this mystery he knows nothing. (St. Gregory the Great)

Vigil of Christmass (when 24 Dec falls on a Sunday; Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 1.18-21)

In today's Gospel the manner of Our Lord's conception along with the dignity of His birth are taught. The Blessed Virgin conceives by the Holy Spirit, and gives birth to the Christ. By giving the Child the name "Jesus," the angel applied to him the terms "Author of salvation" and "Savior of the people." Through these things, Joseph learns what he had not known. According to the divinely-arranged plan of righteous necessity, Joseph was ordered to receive Mary as his wife, but only in name, so that she would not be stoned as an adulteress by the Jews, and so that he would be her protector and the witness of her perpetual virginity. (St Bede the Venerable)

Selected Sermons




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The fourth and final Sunday of Advent
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The fourth and final Sunday of Advent
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This page was created on 01/08/2007 and last edited on: 01/10/2007
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