Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >
The Last Eight Days of Advent
FREE Catholic Classes
During the last eight days of Advent, it is useful to reflect on the different titles given to the Lord who is to come. The titles are Old Testament titles, here conferred on Jesus, showing he is the promised Messiah.
Wisdom
St. Paul tells us that God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.
He is saying that it is hard to imagine the Wisdom of God, who knows all things,
because God has created all things. This title of God reminds us especially
of the Book of Wisdom in the Old Testament - a beautiful hymn in which wisdom
is personified, and is active in the world.
Adonai
A name for the Most High God, whose true name could not be uttered,
and of whom it was said that no-one could gaze on the face of God and live.
Adonai is the Lord of armies, who will march out to save the people in battle.
Stock of Jesse
Jesse was the father of King David, and Jesus is a descendent of David.
>From David comes the association of Jesus as royal, of David's line. Jesus
inherits the throne of David, re-defining his role as King of the Jews.
Key of David
Jesus is not simply a ruler descended from David, but a liberator,
a redeemer. This name echoes the mission of Jesus to bind and to loose, a mission
Jesus passes on to his disciples.
Rising Sun
The sun is a sign of God's creation, God's endurance, and a sign of
God's glory. God's glory outshines the sun, and will endure after the sun and
moon have failed. Psalm 84 describes God as the sun:
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11 NRSV)
King
God is the king above all kings, and the prophet Samuel is reluctant
to anoint a king for the Israelites as this will seem like a rejection of God's
rule. Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king; Jesus answers indirectly, because his
kingship does not accord with the expectations of the Romans, the Jewish authorities,
or even his followers.
Emmanuel
The prophecy of Isaiah foretells a sign to be given by God: a virgin will conceive
and give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel: a name which means God
is with us. Jesus is the word made flesh, God in the midst of the people.
© Liguori Publications Excerpt from Advent - A Quality Storecupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
More Advent & Christmas
Advent? What is it all about
The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming. We may reflect that every year at this time we celebrate his coming , so that in a sense we can lose the feeling of expectancy and joyful anticipation, because at the end of the season, everything seems to return to pretty much the same routine. If that is the case, then our preparation may have been lacking ... continue reading
The Christmas Story
To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role."132 The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace". In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace... continue reading
Advent Daily Readings
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. The Bible readings listed below relate to the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, light in the darkness, and the coming of the promised Messiah. continue reading
More Advent & Christmas News
Sinner or saint God loves you, Pope Francis says on Christmas Eve Watch
Vatican City, (CNA) - A person's weakness and sin does not change Christ's love for them, and Catholics should strive to treat others the ... continue reading
St. Stephen's martyrdom shows 'true meaning of Christmas,' Pope Francis says Watch
The death of St. Stephen, the Church's first martyr, teaches Catholics to renew their commitment to charity and self-gift, part of the ... continue reading
FREE Catholic Classes Pick a class, you can learn anything
Christmas Eve carolers for Cardinal Pell gathered at Melbourne prison Watch
A group of local Catholics gathered outside Melbourne prison on Christmas Eve to sing carols for Cardinal George Pell, currently ... continue reading
Advent Reflection - Day 24 - The Fourth Tuesday of Advent Watch
Advent Reflection - Day 24 - The Fourth Tuesday of Advent This is the last day of this year's Advent preparations. Tonight, we greet the ... continue reading
Advent Reflection - Day 23 - The Fourth Monday of Advent Watch
Advent Reflection - Day 23 The Fourth Monday of Advent Some families wait until this time to put up their Christmas trees. The reason ... continue reading
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >
St. Nicholas Classes - Trending Prayers:
- The Apostles' Creed
- Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Hail Mary
- Hail, Holy Queen
Copyright 2020 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2020 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
