Today is the last Sunday of Advent. In a few days, we will be celebrating Christmas. As we approach to the end of Advent, we need to ask ourselves if we are prepared to celebrate the coming of Jesus. The important question will be: Did we make room for Jesus in our heart and in our families? In today’s gospel we read the story how the angel Gabriel announced to Mary the birth of Jesus. When I read this story, there are two 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, Nazareth, to become the Mother of the Savior. God’s choice is a challenge for us to reflect about our attitude, how we look at the poor. How we look at those who don’t have what we have. In Magnificat, Mary says: God has exalted the lowly and He has filled the hungry with good things. 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. Mary’s response brought God down from heaven. Through Mary’s Yes, God came to the world to forgive us, to bring us peace, and to save us. The incarnation was possible because Mary says yes to God. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary’s yes changed the world. What about you and I? Like Mary, we are called to bring Jesus to others. We bring Jesus to others when we are compassionate to those who are sick. We bring Jesus to others when we are support, and joy to those who are facing hard time. We bring Jesus to people when we reach out those who don’t pray. We bring Jesus to people when we visit those who are depressed, or those who are facing divorce issue, Christmas is a time to bring Jesus to people in need. Through us, through our commitment, through our faith, God wants to touch many people. God wants to bring joy and hope in this Christmas time. Through us, God wants to change the lives of many people. I recommend you to be blessing for someone, or do something special for someone in need during this time of Christmas. Maybe you can invite a stranger for Christmas diner. Maybe you can cook for one family. In doing so, you will experience joy which the world cannot give nor take away. Brothers and sisters, make this Christmas, the best Christmas you ever had.
