As we enter this final week of Advent, I call on each of you to spend a few minutes thinking about the words from today’s Gospel: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” Indeed, through the birth of the One in the manger, God is with us! God enters this world in an extraordinary manner. The gates of heaven cannot even contain the love God has for us. As a result, on Christmas Day, that love floods into our world and hearts just as the waters flooded the earth in the days of Noah. Are you prepared for such an outpouring of love and grace? This is the week of final preparations for Christmas. Keep focused on the manger and keep watch with the shepherds for the news of the birth of God’s Son. I cannot wait to hear those words: “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.”
