Christmas is almost here. This Sunday is the last day of Advent. In a few hours, we will join together again to celebrate Christmas Eve, the first day of Christmas. As we approach the end of Advent, let me ask you if you are prepared to celebrate the coming of Jesus. Are you ready for Christmas? Are you excited? If so, WHY?
In today’s gospel we read the story how the angel Gabriel announced to Mary the birth of Jesus. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and bear a son. And the Son will be the Messiah, the Savior. Mary’s response to the angel was, Yes. Even though she did not understand what was happening, She said: Yes, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” I want to focus on the dialogue between Mary and angel Gabriel. I want you to picture Mary talking to the angel Gabriel. When I read this story, there are 3 points that struck me. First of all, I am impressed by God’s choice. God chose a poor, humble girl, Mary, maybe without education, and from a small village somewhere in Israel to become the Mother of the Savior. Secondly, I am so impressed by the faith of Mary. Very young, only 15 or 16 years old, but she had a deep faith and obeyed God. More impressed, I am struck by God’s love. God is so in love with us that He couldn’t stand being far away from us.
He came down to be with us and became one of us in order to show us how much He loves us. He was born as one of us, fully human and also fully divine. This is the mystery we prepare to celebrate at Christmas, the mystery of the Incarnation. Now reflecting about the dialogue between Mary and the angel Gabriel, we can learn a lot. Mary said, Yes to God. She opened to the word of God. She allowed the word to transform her from a simple maiden to the mother of God. She was open to the Word of God, and the Word of God used her to transform the world. Mary said “Yes!” to the Word in her ear and became the Mother of God. Mary’s response brought God down from heaven. Mary’s yes brought Jesus to Elizabeth. She went to share that joy with her cousin Elizabeth. She served and helped her cousin who was in need. Through Mary’s “Yes” grace, love, life and truth enter the world in Jesus Christ. Through Mary’s Yes, God came to the world to forgive us, to bring us peace, and to save us. All this is made possible because a young Jewish girl says yes: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
We, like Mary, can say “yes” to God with a true heart. Mary did it and it changed the world. Can you? Like Mary, we are called to bring Jesus to others. We do that by being hope for those who are lost loved ones and need special attention, special care. We bring Jesus to others by being compassionate to those who are sick and elderly who wonder if this will be their last Christmas. We can bring Jesus to others by being blessings, light, support, hope, joy to someone who needs support, to someone who lost hope, to someone who does not believe in God, to family members who have lost faith, hope, to friends who are depressed, to someone who is facing divorce issue, to someone who is facing financial problems or lost someone … Through us, through our commitment, through our faith, through the way we are, many people can be touched by God in this time of Christmas. Many people can change their lives. Through us, God can change the lives of many people. We bring Jesus to others when we are light and sign of hope for those in need of healing, forgiveness and conversion. That nothing is impossible for God. That God is in control, and that God loves us more than we can imagine.”
The first Christmas was simple but pure, poor but joyful, bare but love-full, insecure but hopeful. Think about it. I recommend you to do something good or special to someone in need during this time of Christmas. In doing so, you will experience that joy which the world cannot give nor take away. And make this Christmas, the best Christmas you ever had. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to all.
