Third Sunday of Advent Reflection

By Rev. Dr. Trevor D. Alexander

” The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God.” Luke 4:18

The Third Sunday of Advent continues to prepare us for the coming of the Lord Jesus.  The third Sunday offers us the promise! This promise brings about a sense of excitement!  This excitement fills the air! Just like expected parent waiting for the birth of their child.  

Mary, the blessed Mother of our Lord Jesus was walking alone when she had an encounter with an angel. Mary had been chosen above all the women of her day to be the Mother of God.

She may have been uncertain about why she was chosen, but she understood this tremendous honor that had been bestowed upon her. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary had nine month of living with the expectancy that she will be the Mother of God. Elizabeth would later affirm Mary when she says to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women and he has blessed the child you carry,” Luke 1:42. To be blessed is to be filled with joy because God has touched one’s life.

On this the Third Sunday of Advent, let us live our lives in the state of expectancy. Let us live our lives as “beholders.” We are beholders of the splendor of the Lord around us.  The splendor that we are chosen by the Lord to be His sons and daughters. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (I John 3:1).