FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

“There is no limit to the power of a good woman”. R.H. Benson

2 Sam 7:1-5-8:11:16. David wants to build a house for God. But instead God promises to build an everlasting dynasty for him.

Rom 16:25-27. God’s plan of salvation for Jews and gentiles has to fulfillment in Christ

Luke 1:26-38. God’s promise to David was fulfilled in Jesus.

· When the birth of a child nears, the whole attention is given to the mother.
· The focus is on Mary, the will of the Father to be done and will have to help us.
· Today many people- feel happy to do things that they think or matter
- No commitments
- No answer to the questions asked
- No one whose needs tie you down
Mary did say – sorry, but I have my own plans- I want to do my own things.
- It is not what I want, but what God wants is what matters
- Life imposes a lot of duties on us
- We may never see the fullness and meaning of what we do. (Boy with old woman) completely hidden from us.
GOSPEL
v To say yes, you may never know what you are committing yourself to.
v Mary did not know that every door could be closed in front of her- she would be a refugee in the foreign land- 33 years later that her son would be executed like a criminal- she never said yes once but a continuous yes in her life.
v We say yes to our responsibilities/commitments – a leap in the dark- we do not know the implications of what we are undertaking.
v Mary asked a question- how can this happen? Faith is not blind. Beyond reason but not against it- let God be God.
v Bow to the mystery
Christmas Tree- nice, beautiful, child not crying, no dirt (1st pp)- not real, not true, its false, wrong picture, 2nd pp changes, colored Jesus, dirt, background slums, shanties etc.

First Xmas was full of uncertainty, hurry, disappointment and fear, no picnic for Joseph and Mary
- Long journey, arrived at Bethlehem poor, unknown, without influence of any kind, they couldn’t get accommodation- at birth, no Dr. or Nurse to stand by
- It’s easy to move away from poverty of original crib.

Resp
Come Lord Jesus
Come into our hearts R
Come into our homes R
Come to those who are lonely R
Come to those who are fearful R
Come to those who are sick R
Come to those who are poor R
Come to those who are grieving R
Come to those who have faith R
Come to those who have no hope R
Come to those who have no love R
Come to those who are victims of violence R
Come to those with the grip of addiction R
Come to us in our needs of Christmas R


“He who takes the child by the hand takes mother by heart”- Danish proverb