Bulletin reflection - 4th Sunday of Advent - 20 December 2020

      During the past three Sundays of Advent, in our Sunday Gospel readings, we have heard from John the Baptist, from the prophet Isaiah, and from Jesus himself, as they all helped us prepare a way in our lives for Christmas.  This weekend, we hear from the Blessed Virgin Mary and from the Angel Gabriel. All of these Advent messengers are there to help us and to guide us along our Advent journey.  For them and for their message, we give thanks.  

      I have found some beautiful and inspiring Advent prayers that I have been sharing with all of you during these holy days.  I want to share the following prayer with you on this last Sunday of the Advent season as the day of the birth of our Savior draws near:

Advent prayer

      O Emmanuel, you are truly God with us.  In this Advent season, we celebrate that you are not hidden in some faraway place. In this holy season, we are called to recognize how you chose to be with us in the blur and mystery of our lives.

         In the midst of our to-do lists and rush of this busy season, you are with us in the hymns that echo in our minds, in the light of a candle, in the Christmas messages we receive from family friends, in the holy word of God that we hear proclaimed. These are all signs of your presence with us.

        We turn to you during this holy season in a special way.  We pray that you would birth joy, healing, blessing, and hope in our lives. We pray that something wonderful would begin in us during these holy seasons of Advent and Christmas — something surprising and holy.  May your hand be upon us, O Lord. Let your love fill us. Let your joy overwhelm us.  Let our longing for you be met on the coming holy night of Christmas as you, Emmanuel, are with us once again.  Amen.