Matthew 1:18-24
My mother had what I thought a curious Christmas habit. She would buy a few extra gifts for unexpected Christmas visitors, who might bring gifts for us. She even cleverly coded these gifts according to the wrapping: woman’s, man’s, girl’s, boy’s. This old custom saved her more than once from the embarrassment of not being prepared. Now there are only four days until Christmas. Are you prepared? Have you forgotten a gift for someone?
The Gospel of the 4th Sunday of Advent always focuses on Our Blessed Mother. Perhaps she is the one that we have forgotten so far this Advent? Sometimes Advent preparation focuses entirely on Jesus, but of course, Mary is essentially important for Christmas, too.
Today’s Gospel recounts the angel’s assurance to Joseph. “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.”
When considering the miraculous Annunciation to Mary, I have frequently marveled that her first thought after hearing the angel’s wonderful news is to think of someone else in need. She has learned that Elizabeth, her “kinswoman has conceived a son in her old age” and is now in her sixth month. Mary rushes to Elizabeth (“proceeding in haste”) to help her. Here is the perfect Christian response. Here is the way to say Yes to God.
We, too, are in need. We are sinners who struggle to believe and who struggle to live our Faith as we know God wills. But now, late in Advent, we are part of a Visitation of the BVM. Mary, our mother, “proceeds in haste” to help us at this time of year especially.
Perhaps we can take time in these last few days before Christmas to welcome Mary into our heart.
We may not be prepared for Christmas. We may not have all the gifts ready, all the shopping completed.
Perhaps we have not taken much time for spiritual preparation this Advent. Still, Our Blessed Mother rushes to help us as the time draws near.
She will calm us and tell us that all will be well. She will encourage us and assure us that Our Lord was born into this world because He loves us so much. She will guide us these last few days before Christmas and teach us how to prepare as we should. She will lovingly remind us to follow her example: To say yes to God’s will; to think of others in need.
Perhaps we will never be so organized and prepared for Christmas as to have extra gifts ready, just in case. However, we can still be spiritually prepared if we try to take the time to welcome Mary into our hearts, and if we make the effort to follow her example in the Annunciation and Visitation: Say yes to God’s will; think of others in need.
-Fr. Don Saunders, SJ
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