On this Fourth Sunday of Advent with
just a few days to go before Christmas, I suspect most everyone is still very
busy, as the Christmas Carol says, ‘making a list and checking it twice’. People are busy at wrapping gifts, shopping
for the last minute items for Christmas dinner and giving the house a good
cleaning. But what about the Fourth
Sunday of Advent? The gospel for today
calls our attention to the event of months ago, the sudden visit of the Angel
Gabriel to the young Mary of Nazareth. As
busy as we all may be, take a few minutes out of this day for some quiet
reflection. Sounds impossible? Why?
Don’t let the sudden rush of Christmas celebration overwhelm you. Think about those last days for Mary &
Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census.
I’m sure the last thing on their minds
was the census, but the law was the law and the journey had to be made. But what was the journey like for them? For Joseph, I can picture him turning his
head to look at Mary riding on the donkey.
“Are you okay, Mary? Do you want
to stop and rest?” “No, I’m okay, let’s
keep going. It’s almost evening and we
can stop and rest for the night. Maybe
tomorrow we will make it to Bethlehem.”
This kind of conversation was probably repeated in one form or another
several times by these two people, each one chosen by God to have a special
role in the event that would change the history of the human race. Couldn’t God have made it a little easier for
them, a little more comfortable? Thoughts
like that would never have entered their minds.
Remember what Mary said when the angel said of her, “Hail Mary, FULL OF
GRACE.” Because she was filled with the
singular grace God had bestowed on her, her response to the angel’s
announcement was, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to your
word.”
These days were days of quiet as they
made their way along the road. And they
were days of worry for Joseph, “How can I provide for her when we get to
Bethlehem? What if the child is born
before I can find a suitable place for Mary and the Child?” Yet Joseph, too, knew that the hand of God
was guiding them and would protect them.
God had said to both Mary and Joseph, “Do not be afraid.” The very special presence of the Holy Spirit
was with them. They had placed
themselves at the service of God’s plan, whatever and however that plan was to
be fulfilled.
Take a little time today, no matter how
busy you think you are. Let it be some
quiet time. Pick up one of the Christmas
cards you have received, maybe one with a picture of Mary and Joseph making
their way to Bethlehem. Let it speak to
your heart. Let the Lord speak to your hear.
Oh heavens! I forgot to send a card to great Aunt
Sarah. Will it get there before
Christmas? Oh Well, I’ll add a little
note and tell her I was spending some time with Jesus, and that’s why this card
is late.
My wish for all of you is to experience
the peace and love of this very special feast and may the Lord bless you with
happiness and good health throughout the New Year.
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