Message from our Pastor
Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 22, 2024
The Fourth Sunday of Advent often gets lost in the chaos and anxious anticipation of Christmas. Today we even have that sentiment reinforced by the hastening adventure of this young mother-to-be, Mary, who was longing to share Good News with her cousin who lived in a nearby hill country. What becomes unique to this episode in the infancy narrative of Luke’s gospel is that Mary and Elizabeth in this familial encounter are accompanied by the infants in their wombs. What a powerful moment that these two children are to be born will shape the faith we know today.
So here is another story beyond our imagination. Mary, a young virgin pregnant with Jesus. Elizabeth, beyond her child-bearing years, is also pregnant. We hear this story, and we proclaim during this Advent season to display that with God even at times what is deemed impossible happens. As we continue through the season of Advent, we hear this unbelievable event called the “Visitation” as a precursor to another story that makes little sense to our human minds – on Christmas Day God becomes man.
In some ways we have proclaimed this gospel out of order as compared to what we heard last two Sundays. The Second and Third Sundays of Advent we have Jesus and John as adults. John proclaiming his ministry of repentance and many wondering is he the Christ. However, we all know John the Baptist will eventually point everyone to Jesus as the one whom they should follow. Today, Jesus and John have not even come into the world. Could it be that we are to hold fast that God will come and not delay? Advent comes and it goes, but today only a few short hours before Christmas Day we witness not only this Visitation between Mary and Elizabeth but we anticipate God coming into the world and his herald who direct us to Him.
I hope that all the preparations have been made as families will gather, open gifts, share in meals, and hopefully enjoy the company of loved ones. We are blessed here at Divine Word. Your presence each week, your faith in Christ, and the way you live make a difference. We cannot do what we do as Christians without recalling the many ways God has touched us, especially through the gift of his own Son.
Please note the Confession times coming our way in preparation for the Solemnity of Christmas. Sunday, December 22nd 7 pm to 8 pm; Monday, December 23rd 9 am to 10 am and 7 pm to 8 pm. Hope these times work for you.
Masses for Christmas are as follows; Tuesday, December 24th 4 pm in the Church and Hanson Hall and 8 pm in the Church. On Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th Masses at 8:30 am and 11 am. Hope this schedule works for you.
Please note if you are coming to Mass at 4 pm on Tuesday, December 24th. Pay attention to those who will be guiding the parking for Mass. The parking lot will be overflowing, so please be patient with one another. Remember we have Masses in both the Church and Hanson Hall.
A huge thank you to all those who have helped and prepared for the Christmas season: our liturgical ministers, art and environment committee, our music ministers and choir, parish staff, money counters and all who have attended Mass through the Advent season.
This last Sunday of Advent becomes the hinge to the Christmas Season. The beauty of the infancy narrative speaks loud and clear on Christmas Day. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given.” The prophet Isaiah speaks several centuries before Christ, but for us as Christians his words find their fulfillment on Christmas Day. I look forward to seeing you during the Christmas holidays and know you are in my daily prayer.
