In the fullness of time, we Gentiles have been adopted as God’s own in Christ’s Church, yet our adoption as God’s own does not mean we are better or more special than Jews (Galatians 4:4-7). Rather, we have been adopted as God’s children so that, alongside Israel, we display God’s love and kindness to the world.  How have we Christians done?

Besides the shepherds, the Magi, and Joseph and Mary, few recognized that a special king had been born in the manger far away from the intrigue and comfort of power, wealth, and prestige. The Blessed Virgin Mary had been chosen to bear the Christ child (Luke 1:26-38). With this announcement to Mary, the line of David was no longer simply a historical accident. Rather, it is an essential factor in God’s plan of salvation for the whole world. The throne of David is conferred upon Jesus. Nathan’s prophecy of “a kingly promise” is fulfilled: Christ is the legitimate descendant of David’s throne.

Our Good News Reading (John 1:6-9) tells us about John the Baptist who bore witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ, which is where we find ourselves: Bearing witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ. This third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of joy. We have joy because we have heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. We “bear witness” to the light that has come into the world in Jesus Christ when we proclaim and enflesh good news to the poor, brokenhearted, and prisoners (Isaiah 61).