We have been hearing passages from the first Chapter of Luke this last week of Advent. Today, the day before our Christmas Eve mass, it seems very appropriate that we hear about the birth of John the Baptist, since John’s life and Jesus’ life were so intrinsically linked. Before John was born, an Angel appeared to his father, Zechariah, telling him that his wife Elizabeth would bear a child, that this child would be the first great prophet to appear in Ancient Israel, that this child would prepare the way for the Messiah. Zechariah was a priest in the line of Aaron, a very learned and intelligent man. Yet, his response to God’s messenger was to laugh, to believe that it was impossible, for his wife had been barren for years. How could this be? Zechariah did not think that God’s covenant and promises to Abraham and his descendants could be fulfilled in this way. We need to open our hearts to the impossible and the unimaginable, for everything is possible and imaginable with God. For the last couple of years, I knew of some Cubs fans who were wearing T-shirts that had the Cubs logo on it that said: “Please, Lord, just one time before I die.” Well, we all know that Cubs won this year - we won in such nail-biting, dramatic fashion. Yes, anything is possible. And certainly anything is possible with God. Today, we remember God and his promises as we get ready to celebrate the birth of our Lord tomorrow.
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