FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C

Micah 5:1-4

Psalm 80

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-45

DIVINE VISITATION

In few days, we will celebrate Christmas, the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. He came into the world in obedience to God the Father: “Behold, I come to do your will, O God” (cf. Heb. 10:5-10). Thus, we are invited today to begin focusing our attention on Bethlehem and to take Mary as our model of faith and charity for a fruitful celebration of Christmas.

In effect, the prophet Micah announces God’s intention to fulfill his promise to king David: the promise of a shepherd king who would bring peace and restoration to Israel. This king would come from David’s humble town of Bethlehem, a small town of Judea. Thus, this little and insignificant town that had become popular because of King David, would become also the place of birth of his Son Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.

The gospel reading narrates the story of the visitation. The story is an encounter between two pregnant women, Elizabeth and Mary. But it is also a meeting between two unborn children: Jesus and John. John leaped for joy in his mother’s womb at the greeting of Jesus’ mother. The child rejoices because he is the herald of Jesus the Messiah. He has been privileged to witness the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. His joy describes the joy of God’s people when He visits them: yes, God has visited his people. Christmas is indeed the fulfillment of God’s promises; it is the time of God’s visitation in the person of Jesus Christ God.

It is therefore important to ask ourselves: how prepared are we to meet God who is coming to visit us? Is it a matter of having what to eat, drink and wear on Christmas day? Or rather making our hearts ready to receive him and to share the Christmas joy with others? Will we be able to recognize God in the little infant lying in a manger in Bethlehem? May God bless and keep our hearts ready to welcome him in joy. Amen.