Fourth Sunday of Advent

Readings: Micah 5:1-4a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45

Christmas is almost there. Just a few more days! The word of God is seeking to open our hearts to the great mystery that we will be celebrating in the birth of the savior. In order to understand a bit more about Jesus, we have to understand a lot more about all the Scriptures that went before Him and point to Him.

The first reading today, speaks about a future ruler of Israel who will come from Bethlehem. This brought about among some of the chosen people an understanding that a Messiah, a Savior, would come from Bethlehem. Thus, when the three Magi ask, they are directed to Bethlehem.

Just as today, not everyone believes in Jesus Christ or in His Church, so also in the take before Jesus, not everyone believed that the Jewish prophets had any special insight or understanding of God's ways. Yet the whole of Jewish Scripture keeps referring to some future figure who will do great things for the people.

Of Course, there was the hope for a political Messiah, a Savior who make the chosen people dominant on the earth. That is never the deepest promise of the Scriptures. Even today, secular cultures look for messiah and a savior in the political leaders. Every election in free countries seems to be about who can give us a better deal. This is just the opposite of the promises of Scripture.

The promise of Scripture proclaims this: do God's will and you will have life eternal.  just as in the time of Jesus, so also today, most people look for something more, something in this life, something that will give me pleasure, power and control right now . Jesus states: My kingdom is not of this world.

The letter of Hebrews keeps this reality before us. It is not some external reality that God wants, God wants our hearts and our beings, completely. God wants us to seek Him and to dop His will. Not only that , God's plan is a plan of happiness that the world cannot offer.

The Gospel of Luke today presents us the Mary's visit to Elizabeth. This is such a gentle scene and reflects the very best of humanity.  One cousin going to help an older cousin as she prepares to give birth. Each will give birth to an important religious figure. It is when we server others that we encounter Jesus Christ. It is when we give ourselves in love that we find that we are loved. It is the simple and ordinary that we find contemplative delight.

Let us live these last days of Advent, waiting, serving, loving and trusting that the Lord is transforming our lives in Christ Jesus.

WISHING YOU ALL MERRY CHRSTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR !