Advent Weekday on December 22

• First Reading – 1 Samuel 1:24-28: Hannah fulfills her vow, presenting Samuel at the Lord’s temple. She recounts her prayer for a child, now dedicating Samuel to the Lord for his entire life.
• Responsorial Psalm – 1 Samuel 2: Hannah rejoices in the Lord’s power, celebrating His justice and mercy. She praises God’s actions in humbling the mighty and exalting the humble, depicting His sovereignty over life and fortune.
• Gospel – Luke 1:46-56: Mary, filled with gratitude and awe, glorified God for His favor. She celebrated His might, mercy, and faithfulness across generations, noting His uplifting of the humble and hungry. Acknowledging God’s help to Israel, she revered His enduring promise to Abraham’s lineage. Mary’s stay with Elizabeth culminated in a heartfelt testament to God’s greatness before returning home.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant.

Luke 1:46-48

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. On an Advent Weekday on December 22, the readings guide us to reflect on gratitude, joy, and trust in God’s plan.

• Gratitude for God’s blessings: Hannah dedicates her son Samuel to the Lord as an act of thanksgiving. This reminds us to recognize and give thanks for the gifts we receive from God.
• Trust in God’s promises: Both Hannah and Mary show deep trust in God’s faithfulness. Their actions encourage us to rely on God’s promises, even when life feels uncertain.
• Joy in God’s work: Mary’s song celebrates the greatness of God. Her joy invites us to look for God’s hand at work in our lives and rejoice in it.
• Humility before God: Mary’s words reflect her humble heart. This shows the importance of acknowledging that all good comes from God, not from our own efforts.
• God’s care for the lowly: Mary praises God for lifting up the humble and caring for those in need. This teaches us to trust that God sees and values everyone, even those the world overlooks.
• Faith in God’s plan: Hannah and Mary both show faith in God’s plan for their lives and for the world. Their example encourages us to accept God’s will with hope.

As we reflect on these themes, we are reminded to prepare our hearts for Christ with gratitude, trust, and humility. Advent invites us to look to Mary and Hannah as examples of faith and joy in God’s love.

An Advent Weekday on December 22 offers a chance to reflect on trust, gratitude, and the ways God works through people. The stories of Hannah and Mary show us how to respond to God’s blessings and call. These reflections help us prepare our hearts as we wait for Christ’s coming.

The Role of Women in God’s Plan

An Advent Weekday on December 22 highlights the important role of women in God’s plan. Hannah and Mary both play key roles in the unfolding story of salvation. Hannah dedicates her son Samuel to the Lord, and Mary praises God for choosing her to be the mother of Jesus. Both women show how their faith and actions help fulfill God’s work.

Hannah’s decision to give Samuel back to God is a selfless act of trust and gratitude. Her story reminds us that God often works through women to bring about great things. Her faith shows the power of surrendering to God’s will and trusting in His plan.

Mary, in her song of praise, celebrates God’s work in her life and in the world. She recognizes that her role as the mother of Jesus is part of something much bigger. Her example encourages all of us, especially women, to say yes to God’s call and trust that He can work through us to bring goodness into the world.

Trust in God’s Promises

Trust in God’s promises is a central theme for an Advent Weekday on December 22. Both Hannah and Mary trust that God is faithful and will fulfill His word. Their trust helps them take bold actions, even when the future is uncertain.

Hannah prays for a child and promises to dedicate him to God. When her prayer is answered, she keeps her promise, even though it must have been hard to give Samuel back to God. Her trust shows that when we rely on God, we can act with courage and faith, even in difficult situations.

Mary praises God for keeping His promises to His people. She reflects on how God lifts up the lowly and fulfills His word. Her trust in God helps her accept her role in His plan and rejoice in His work. These readings remind us to trust that God’s promises are true and that He is always faithful.

Gratitude for God’s Blessings

An Advent Weekday on December 22 teaches us the importance of gratitude. Both readings show how Hannah and Mary express their thankfulness to God. Their examples remind us to reflect on the blessings we receive and respond with gratitude and faith.

Hannah is deeply thankful for the gift of her son, Samuel. Her act of dedicating him to God shows how much she values the blessing she received. Her story reminds us to show our gratitude through actions, not just words.

Mary’s song is a beautiful expression of her gratitude to God. She celebrates how God has blessed her and worked in the world. Her joy and thankfulness remind us to pause and recognize the good things in our lives, even during busy or difficult times. Gratitude helps us draw closer to God and prepare our hearts for His presence.

As we reflect on an Advent Weekday on December 22, may we find inspiration in the examples of Hannah and Mary. Their trust, gratitude, and faith remind us to listen for God’s call in our own lives. Let us carry these lessons with us as we draw closer to the celebration of Christmas.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the examples of Hannah and Mary. Help us trust in Your promises and be grateful for Your blessings. Teach us to listen for Your call and respond with faith and humility. Guide us as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does Hannah’s story encourage you to trust God’s plan?
• What blessings in your life can you give thanks for, like Mary and Hannah?
• How can you respond to God’s call with faith and humility in your daily life?
• What does trusting in God’s promises look like for you during Advent?

Word on Fire: The Rhythm of Magnification

Bishop Barron’s reflection for the Advent Weekday on December 22 on the Magnificat, Mary’s hymn in today’s Gospel, focuses on the unique dynamic of glorifying God and being glorified in return. Mary’s declaration, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,” signifies her complete dedication to honoring God, setting aside her ego.

This act of glorification, while aimed at God who needs nothing, paradoxically magnifies Mary herself, reflecting glory back onto her. In fully surrendering to God, Mary becomes a vessel of abundant life, even bearing God within her. This rhythm of magnifying and being magnified is crucial to understanding Mary’s role — from her divine motherhood to her Assumption, Immaculate Conception, and role in the Church.

USCCB Reflection: The Songs of Mary and Hannah

This USCCB video reflection for the Advent Weekday on December 22 contrasts the deep, faith-filled joy in traditional Advent and Christmas hymns with their superficial commercialization. The songs of Hannah and Mary in the Bible are expressions of deep faith and praise, undiminished by time or commercial use.

These hymns celebrate God’s mercy and justice, unlike the commercialized versions used in shopping environments. Reconnect with the radical message of these hymns, reflecting on God’s actions in history. Sing these hymns with the same faith as Hannah and Mary, who recognized God’s mighty deeds in their lives, and to remember that, despite worldly corruption, God is still at work, ready to be born anew in our hearts.

What are the Mass readings for an Advent Weekday on December 22?

The Mass readings for an Advent Weekday on December 22 are:
First Reading – 1 Samuel 1:24-28: Hannah’s Gift to the Lord
Responsorial Psalm – 1 Samuel 2: Hannah’s Song of Praise
Gospel – Luke 1:46-56: Mary’s Magnificat

What is the meaning of Hannah dedicating Samuel to the Lord?

Hannah dedicates her son Samuel as a way to thank God for answering her prayer. This teaches us to give back to God in gratitude when we receive blessings.

How can we relate to Hannah’s story in the first reading for an Advent Weekday on December 22?

Hannah’s story shows the importance of trusting God and being thankful. When we face challenges, we can learn to pray, trust, and respond with gratitude like Hannah.

Why is Mary’s song important?

Mary’s song praises God for His goodness and justice. It reminds us to reflect on the ways God works in our lives and respond with joy and trust.

What does God lifting up the lowly mean?

This shows that God values those who are humble or overlooked. It encourages us to trust that God sees our needs and cares for us deeply.

Why does Mary praise God so much in the Gospel for an Advent Weekday on December 22?

Mary praises God because she sees His goodness and the way He works in her life. This inspires us to take time to notice and thank God for the good things He has done for us.

What does Mary’s humility teach us?

Mary’s humility reminds us that everything good in our lives comes from God. It encourages us to focus on God’s greatness instead of seeking recognition for ourselves.

How do these readings show God’s promises?

Hannah and Mary both trust that God keeps His promises. This gives us hope that God will guide and care for us in His perfect way.

What do these readings for an Advent Weekday on December 22 teach about the role of women in God’s plan?

They highlight the significant roles women like Hannah and Mary play in salvation history, often through acts of profound faith and obedience.

What can we learn about gratitude from these readings for an Advent Weekday on December 22?

Both Hannah and Mary show gratitude to God in their words and actions. This teaches us to live with thankfulness and recognize God’s blessings in our lives.

How do these readings for an Advent Weekday on December 22 prepare us for Christmas?

The stories of Hannah and Mary remind us to trust God and focus on His goodness. They help us prepare our hearts to celebrate Jesus coming into the world.

How can we apply these lessons in daily life?

We can follow Hannah and Mary’s example by trusting God, being thankful, and staying humble. This helps us live with joy and hope, especially during Advent.