December 19, 2021
Click here to view this week's Mass. The video for the 4 PM vigil Mass will be available by about 7 PM on Saturday.
It's the 4th Sunday of advent, the last one before Christmas. Do you remember Christmas when you were younger? The excitement began at the beginning of Advent. We were led gradually towards it. From lighting the first candle on the advent wreath, bringing home Christmas wrapping paper from our Catholic school to go around the neighborhood selling, and then the Christmas Tree being brought into the living room. You could feel the cold coming off it as it was placed in its stand. Christmas carols, shopping, all of it building until Christmas Eve - our family and friends gathered. Finally, midnight Mass. Listening to my mother and sister singing in the choir. The baby Jesus in the manger by the altar and also at home on top of the television set.
It was all so clear back then. The Christmas season was a time of anticipation, preparation, celebration, and great joy! Now, you might find yourself all grown up. Maybe your children have moved out. And you can find yourself, possibly, looking, searching to find Christmas.
In our Gospel today, it is as if the Evangelist St. Luke knew that we might need to be reminded of where to find Christmas on this last Sunday of Advent, just before Christmas. Not in the stores, wrapping paper, gifts, or great parties. No, St. Luke makes sure that today we begin to experience the most important part of Christmas. He lets us share this intimate moment between Elizabeth and Mary. Upon seeing each other, he tells us, their babies leaped for joy! Elizabeth makes sure to let us know that Mary's baby is Jesus - God.
She calls Mary, "blessed." The definition of blessed is a kind of joy that is serene and untouchable, a happiness nothing can take away. Things in your life can change, but it will not affect this great joy! Mary is blessed. And so are you. When you fully recognize the baby in the manger on Christmas, when you fully recognize God and have faith in God's love for you, you are blessed.
Christmas is all about Jesus loving you. Knowing that you are being loved places in you a joy that is always there. Something far greater than all the shopping, the candles, and the carols. It doesn't matter what happens in the other parts of your life, because of Christmas, Jesus is loving you always. You are blessed.
There are five days left in Advent. Join us at the retreat after the 11am Mass to become a step closer to fully recognizing Jesus in the manger, God's love for you.
In just a few days on Christmas we will hear St. Luke telling of the birth of Jesus. Another very intimate, personal moment that he wants to make sure we savor and experience.
Because this is where we find Christmas! This is where we find a joy and happiness that is equaled by nothing else! This is what all of our memories of the past were built upon. And it hasn't changed.
May you use these remaining days till Christmas to let others see this joy in you! Amen.
God's Peace,
Deacon Dave