4th Sunday of Advent
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Advent 4, 21st Dec 2025
Welcome sisters and brothers and LOVE be with you. Take my lips O God and speak through them, take our minds O God and think through them, take our hearts O God and love through them this day. <Amen>
The final Sunday in Advent marks the beginning of the transition from Advent to Christmas. We will now be led to the stable. Our hopes, dreams and longing for a Saviour are the same hopes, dreams and longings people had on that first Christmas 2,000 years ago. The birth of the Messiah pointed to the promise of the Kingdom.
It is at this time that Christmas narratives often shine the spotlight on Mary, on shepherds, and of course on the Christ Child Himself.
However today, I want to draw our focus to Joseph. His role is quiet, but it is powerfully instructive. In Matthew 1:18–25, we encounter a man who shows us what faithful obedience looks like - especially when God’s plan is confusing, unexpected, and costly.
I would like us to ponder five lessons that jump out of this gospel.
1. Joseph’s Crisis: “This Doesn’t Make Sense”
Verse 18 tells us that “Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” Joseph was pledged to marry her, but the baby certainly wasn’t his. He had every cultural, legal, and emotional reason to walk away. Yet Joseph was a righteous man, thoughtful and compassionate. He decided to break the engagement quietly rather than expose Mary to public shame.
Joseph did not yet know the whole story. Like many of us at certain times, he faced a situation that simply didn’t make sense. He didn’t have the answers. Yet, so often, God asks His people to trust Him BEFORE the details are revealed.
Lesson #1: Faith begins where our understanding ends.
2. God Speaks into the Confusion
In verses 20–21, God breaks the silence:
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife … She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Notice that God addresses Joseph’s fear first: “Do not be afraid.”
Before God gives the instruction, He gives reassurance.
And then He gives Joseph purpose: that this child will be the Saviour.
God reveals just enough for Joseph to take the next step. Not the whole plan. Not every detail of the future. Just the next step.
Lesson #2: God’s guidance often comes one obedient step at a time.
3. Joseph’s Response: Quiet, Costly Obedience
Verse 24 gives us one of the simple yet most powerful phrases in the Christmas story:
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him.”
He obeyed.
Not reluctantly. Not after bargaining. Not after asking for more signs.
He obeyed immediately and quietly.
And that obedience cost him something.
• Public misunderstanding.
• His reputation questioned.
• The gossip of small-town Nazareth.
• Leading to a life of humble service, raising a child who was not his blood.
Faith that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.
Joseph shows us no faith is too small when God is in it.
Lesson #3: Obedience is not measured by how loudly we speak, but how faithfully we act and serve.
4. Jesus’ Name Reveals His Mission
Joseph is told to name the child Jesus.
The name means “The Lord saves.”
The angel explains why: “He will save His people from their sins.”
Christmas is not simply about celebration. It is not primarily about sentiment.
It is the announcement of salvation. Not just about God with us, but God for us.
Lesson #4: Christmas is not just about God coming near us but God saving us.
5. Emmanuel: God With Us
Verses 22–23 proclaim the prophecy from Isaiah fulfilled:
“They will call Him Emmanuel - which means, God with us.”
Not a distant God.
Not an indifferent God.
Not a God who watches from afar.
God with us.
God with us in our confusion, as Joseph was confused.
God with us in our decisions, as Joseph faced decisions.
God with us in our obedience, as Joseph walked obediently.
God with us in our suffering, in our pressures, in our doubts.
Every step Joseph took with Mary and Jesus was proof that God had indeed come close.
Lesson #5: The presence of God transforms every ordinary moment into holy ground.
So, in conclusion, this gospel is calling us to following Joseph’s example.
This gospel, Matthew 1:18–25, gives us a portrait of Joseph that challenges and encourages us:
• When life doesn’t make sense, trust God.
• When God asks something, even when it’s costly, obey.
• When you don’t know everything, just take the next step.
• When fear knocks, remember Emmanuel - God with us.
As a speak these words I am all too aware that Joseph didn’t preach a sermon.
He lived one.
May we do the same … and to God will be the glory. <PAUSE>
A prayer to close:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the example of Joseph, a man of quiet obedience. Help us to trust You when we do not understand, to follow You when the road is hard, and to remember that You are always with us. Emmanuel, fill our hearts this Christmas and always. Amen.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Everlasting God we come today on the last Sunday of our Advent journey towards Christmas and we give thanks as we remember those journeys that were being taken on that first Christmas 2025 years ago.
Mary and Joseph - travelling by foot to enrol in the Roman census; The Wise Men following the signs in the heavens; The unsuspecting Shepherds moving from pasture to pasture with their flocks; The Jewish Nation, also unsuspecting, moving through history towards a world changing event.
(LONGER pause for silent, personal reflection)
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our response is, “hear our prayer!”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Father God As we think of Mary, pregnant with the Holy child journeying towards motherhood we pray for all women who are expecting a new addition to their families. We also remember that not all pregnancies are wanted and so we pray for all who are carrying unwanted babies and for the decisions they have to make, some of which may be very unpleasant.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Merciful God, we pray for all who, like Mary and Joseph, are making long and difficult journeys by foot, especially those fleeing from war and terror. For those trying to escape hardship, drought, famine or persecution. For those embarking on perilous journeys across the seas in dreadfully unsuitable craft and for those who are providing rescue services.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Creator God We thank you for the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. We pray that this would bring lasting peace to the whole region, and that You would restore hope to the hopeless. We also pray that Israel would allow a flood of aid to freely enter Gaza and for a lasting ceasefire, and that the peace plan is implemented fully by all parties.
Our hearts break for the millions of people around the world who have endured relentless violence and conflict, and we ask that You restore them to life in all its fullness.
For all those who are suffering, starving and mourning, we ask that help would reach them quickly – and that You would be their comfort, their healer and their safe refuge.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Mighty God we pray for the wise men and women of our modern world who are making amazing technological advances and moving our world ever faster into the future. Help us at all times to use that technology for the good of Your creation and let it never get in the way of the way that we live our lives for you and for our neighbours in Christ.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Faithful God we pray for the sick and the suffering especially when having to travel to hospital for treatment or surgery and for those who love them and care for them.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, in Syria and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
In Your goodness and mercy, grant them health of body, soundness of mind and peace of heart.
We thank You for those who have come through illness and are on the road to recovery and also for those facing the reality that there is little light at the end of their earthly tunnel.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Loving God, give us ears to hear and minds to understand the message and gift of Christmas so that we may look forward with patience and confidence to that time when we will join You in the peace of eternity.
We especially pray for any we know who recently died and are on that journey to You.
We especially raise before you at this time our recently departed brother, Peter (South Africa).
May all the faithful departed now rest in peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your Mercy: Hear our prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries. Make the things that we choose to do worthy of the life, death, and rising again of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Gracious God, who chose Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us with Your grace, that like Mary we might rejoice in Your salvation; send us out to finish our Advent journey filled with love and joy and peace ready to receive that promise afresh into our lives.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
