Today we celebrate this 4th Sunday in the season of Advent. When we join together next weekend we will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord.
Our journey towards Christmas really began on March 25th. It was on that day that the Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Annunciation. This was the day that Mary gave her “yes” to the angel Gabriel and conceived the Lord in her womb. Christ does not become God nor human at His birth for this has already taken place through the events of the Annunciation when God took on our human flesh. Let us always pray for the sanctity of human life for that child in the womb of it’s mother is human and is beloved by God.
As we are told throughout the course of Sacred Scripture, “the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” This virgin is named Mary who conceived within her womb, Jesus. He is Emmanuel for this name literally means, “God with us.” God is truly with us for Christ is the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. He is God who takes on our human flesh and dwells among us. Mary is very important in bringing about this reality for it has been revealed to us through Sacred Scripture.
Through this action Mary gives herself entirely to God and to each of us. She fully gave of herself unto God and assisted in fulfilling God’s plan for us. This plan was that we who have been touched by the reality of sin and death would come to be saved. The Lord dies upon the cross out of love for us in order that we may be redeemed. This is only possible through the coming of the Christ child. It was this child who was conceived within her womb.
We must come to foster devotion to her for this devotion always leads us towards her Son and towards a pursuit of virtue. During this last stretch of the Advent season we must set straight the path of our life to encounter her Son. Devotion to Mary leads us along this path which leads us towards Bethlehem and the birth of her Son. What must we continue to perfect within our life in order that we may be found more receptive of such a wondrous gift?
As we gather next Sunday and celebrate the Nativity of the Lord we should reflect upon this. On this most holy of nights the Lord will be born of this virgin. This child is the answer to all of our desires, but so often we fill the void of our heart with something else that can never fulfill us. Let our heart come to be filled by Christ. The heart of Mary was filled with love for her Son and so may she pray for us in order that we may be found prepared for our encounter with her Son.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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