Today's feast we recall Saint Stephen, the first person martyred for his faith in Christ.

Being faithful to the Christ born in Bethlehem means following him to the cross.

He was among the first followers of Christ to clearly unite the Old Testament with the unfolding New Testament.

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Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

Stephen, full of grace and power,

 The Lord is near.

The fourth candle of Advent is called the “Angel Candle” and symbolizes peace.

Jesus came to bring peace to our hearts and to our world!

Mary, the Mother of Jesus who is honored with the title “Ark of the Covenant!”

The Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary the good news: “Hail full of grace,

the Lord is with you….for you shall conceive the Son of God!”

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Micah 5:1-4a

But you,

 "Christ has come and God's kingdom is at hand!"

The Lord of heaven and God of all creation has come to earth and

Do not be afraid, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

In the city of David a savior has been born for you, who is Christ and Lord.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

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Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful

 The sun rises from the East. A new dawn begins in the East.

John the Baptist, recognized the Messiah and so he (John) leaped for joy!

Advent will soon give way to the joy of Christmas! Let us wait for the new dawn, the Sun rising from the Orient!

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Song of Songs 2:8-14 (or Zephaniah 3:14-18a)

The voice of my lover!

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2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

When the king had settled

 Mary was a simple young maiden in the little town of Nazareth who found favor with God.

She said “yes” to the plan of God. We are all saved.

Her espoused husband, He was a poor carpenter.

Yet these simple people were chosen to raise God's Son.

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Isaiah 7:10-14

Once again Yahweh addressed Ahaz,

 On the day, we celebrate the birth of our Savior, join Zechariah in praise

“Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel!”

This God of Israel is the God who is ever faithful even when Israel had time and again been unfaithful.

This is the God who comes to save SINNERS.

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2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

When the king

 God’s plan of salvation goes a long way. Long before Jesus would be born.

God would be sending time and again signs of his coming.

John the Baptist is like Samson of the Old Testament. chosen and dedicated.

Jesus, the Nazarene, born in the city of David, Bethlehem,

will become the king of Israel and so thus fulfill the promise of God to Jacob and Jesse.

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Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a

There was a man of Zorah

The most important thing is the naming of the child. This was a serious matter in ancient times.

For a name carries with it the destiny of the bearer.

The baby could not be named frivolously. And so, after much debate, they named him John.

With Mary’s “fiat” and the call to repentance to prepare the way of the Lord by the precursor John,

and ultimately the birth of Jesus, the king of all Nations.

O come, O come Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel !

St. John of Kanty, priest

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Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24

Now I am sending

 Joseph  is kind, He is attentive to the Lord, listening for his word.

Desiring to protect Mary's reputation and save her from shame. 

“O Lord –be merciful to us and grant us the righteousness of Joseph and the obedience of Mary!

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Jeremiah 23:5-8

Yahweh further says,