Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We light the last candle on our Advent wreath and our preparation for Christmas is almost finished. We also reach the culmination of the O Antiphons. In previous antiphons our cry was directed to the Messiah as He manifested Himself to the Chosen People, to the
Gentiles, and in nature; now He is addressed in person and asked to remain with us as Emmanuel. We ask Christ to forgive us for our sins and, through His grace, to
create us anew when He comes. This week is also a time to recollect, to reflect on our Advent journey. If we have let the hustle and bustle of the season get in the way of our spiritual preparations for Christmas, we have one last chance to refocus— and the light of the candles on the Advent wreath can be a symbol of our focus, as well as a symbol of the light of Christ.
4TH WEEK PRAYER: (Light all candles)
Bestir, O Lord, Thy might, we beseech Thee, and come; and with great power come to our aid, that, by the help of Thy grace, that which is hindered by our sins may be hastened by Thy merciful forgiveness. Who lives and reigns, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
