“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible.” (1 Jn 1: 1-2)
“The life was made visible” in a very significant way—as a Child. This is very natural for life: when new life begins in his/her mother’s womb, that life immediately begins to show his/her presence. Life wants to be visible in every possible way: “what we have heard, what we have seen… what we looked upon and touched with our hands.” And the Good News about Life has to be spread; an Angel announced it to shepherds and a star to Three Kings. Now it is our turn to proclaim the Good News—to be witnesses to Life.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and from his fullness we have received.” (Communion Antiphon)
“As they were stoning Stephen, he called out ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’” (Acts 7: 59)
Our Lord takes care of us in every circumstance, even if we are totally abandoned and persecuted by others. He came to take away all our fears, overcome all our enemies and lead us to invincible love. St. Stephen, from a human point of view, lost his life, but from a wider perspective — he won his life: the Lord Jesus received his spirit. Now he is with Him to protect us and to help us in our lives.
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD: the LORD is God and has given us light.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” (Lk 2: 10-12)
“Good news of great joy” is the best description of today’s feast—“a Savior has been born for you.” He will take all our sins, our despair and our fears, and will bring us joy, freedom and unconditional love. And He came as “an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” to show that it will be done not by force and power but by love and the gift of Self.
“I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.” (Lk 1: 76-77)
He is coming with the most beautiful gift—“the forgiveness of our sins.” All His love is focused on us, not because we are perfect or we deserve it, but because we are loved and we need it. Our weak nature and “eagle’s heart” are quite often in conflict and need forgiveness of our sins: sins of pride or laziness, sins of thinking of ourselves as indispensable or insignificant, sins of excessive work, excessive planning or being short-sighted, and many others. Only God’s grace can give us again the right balance of being totally dependent on Him and focused on Him and at the same moment totally devoted to our brothers and sisters in service.
“O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.” (Lk 1: 62-64)
For nine months Zechariah was mute, and when his wife Elizabeth “gave birth to a son,” Zechariah’s first words were “blessing God”: “his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.” The gift of speaking is for speaking blessings. This is the best way to use our tongues. When we bless God, we proclaim His presence among us and all His miracles for us. When we bless God, we protect each others’ dignity.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice and opens the door to me, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” (Communion Antiphon)
“He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.” (Lk 1:50)
We have many occasions to meet Our Lord’s mercy in everyday situations. He comes with His grace not only in the Sacraments (like Holy Mass or the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation) but also in daily situations: a child’s smile, a friend’s phone call or a spouse’s hug and “I’m sorry” after a misunderstanding. Sometimes our activity brings the touch of His mercy to our relatives or friends. His mercy is in every generation, and He looks for every occasion to show it.
“O King of all nations and keystone of the Church; come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” (Lk 1: 38)
Our Lady’s answer to God’s invitation is “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” God always comes to us with invitations to come closer to Him, to receive a better life. Even if the invitation is difficult to understand or will change our lives dramatically, it is always better for us. Our Lady will help us to exceed our little plans to accept God’s proposal for a life full of God’s will.
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” (Lk 1: 36-37)
God started His mission of humankind’s redemption with the most beautiful miracles within the family: first Elisabeth and her “impossible” pregnancy and later Mary, Our Lady. The family is the first place of redemption and the first place to receive the real presence of God. He chose the family for His Son, who spent 30 years with Mary and Joseph to prepare Himself for His mission.
“O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!” (Gospel Acclamation)
“The woman bore a son and named him Samson. The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him; the Spirit of the LORD stirred him.” (Jgs 13: 24)
All fatherhood comes from God. Every child is a sign of God’s presence among us. Parents are God’s co-workers and receive a special blessing to take care of God’s life in their child. With every Advent we go back to the unique vocation received by mankind to maintain a strong relationship with God. We are invited to be protectors and facilitators of this relationship which comes to our children through our relationship with Him.
“O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!” (Gospel Acclamation)
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.” (Mt 1: 18)
Jesus Christ, “the son of David, the son of Abraham,” living God from living God, begotten, not made … has a book of genealogy. He chose to be like us: to have ancestors, a history and a family. And He left detailed evidence of “how the birth of Him came about,” just like you and I. And if you are an expecting mother—jus as your child will have. It’s all because His presence among us IS REAL: He chose to be with us as a man to love us in the way that we understand.
“O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!” (Gospel Acclamation)
