4th Sunday of Advent - 2013

God fulfills his promise in an incredible way:He invites us to allow ourselves to be surprised

so His Son Jesus can continue to befor the holy people that we are,

Emmanuel, « God with us. »

We are only three days away from the greatfeast of Christmas. Will these three days suffice for us to finish our preparations ?

There is so much to do from now until Christmas

that risk forgetting the one who should be at the heart

of this Festival: Jesus, the Son of God,who comes among us

as a fragile little child.

The Son of Mary, adopted by Joseph,who comes to remind us that God,

our Father is not a threatening being.By the presence of this Child,

the Father of Jesus,who is also our Father,

simply wants to be « God with us. »

The Lord desires nothing otherthan to be « God with us.»

He wants to support us, to walkwith us, to become once again our God!

And this is precisely whyhe sends his Son to pitch

his tent among us.

«The Lord himself will give youa sign: Behold, a young woman

who is with child, she shall bear a son,and he shall be called Emmanuel,

that is to say: « God with us. »

God not only gives us signsbut he likes to surprise us. The Gospel reading

tells us that: « Mary the mother of Jesuswas betrothed to Joseph;

but, before they lived together,she was with child by the action

of the Holy Spirit. »

Even today,God wants to surprise us.

Will we be attentive and opento the signs he gives us?

Through the night of our world,God continues to bring forth his light

in Jesus his Son.

Christmas is much more than rememberingan event from the past.It is also an invitation

to allow Christ be born in our heartsso that we can once again become

this holy people awaitingthe Lord's return

resurrected at the end of times.

In order to recognize the signGod gives us, let us

be guided by Joseph’s spiritual experience.

It is important that, with the help of God’s grace,

we move from surprise to faith. « When Joseph awoke, he took her as his wife.»

Lord, when Mary, the mother of Jesus,was with child, you invited Josephher spouse, to be at the service

of your Son’s mystery:" « Do not be afraid to take Mary as

your spouse: the child begottenin her is of the Holy Spirit. » "

Give us the same faithand the same courage as Joseph.  

Teach us, as you didwith Mary and Joseph,

how to greet your Son with loveand how to give him once again the world,

he who is God-with-usand who saves the world.

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