This fourth and final week in Advent is a beautiful foretaste of what we are about to celebrate. We hear from Isaiah again about how God Himself will come to be with His people. A virgin will bear a son named Emmanuel, which means God is with us. There is a beautiful song my family used to listen to during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Amy Grant was our Christmas favorite to listen to. She has a song called “Love Has Come.” It is an upbeat song about “when the God of glory who is full of mercy sent His Son.” The lines that always get me is when she sings, “If I could have a special dream coming true on Christ morn’, I would want the world to see how His Father smiled when Christ was born. The greatest gift the world has known!” How powerful a thought. The Gospel is from Matthew giving us the lead-up to the birth of Christ. He tells us the background of how God reassured Joseph that all this was the fulfillment of all the prophets. We often focus so much on Mary in the story of the birth of Christ that we often miss the immensity of righteousness and trust that Joseph too had in this beautiful moment.
May we strive to be like Joseph; to just get up and do as the Lord has commanded without question or hesitation. I would want to see how Mary and Joseph smiled when Christ was born, but wow what a thought about the smile that God the Father had when Jesus was born into this world. So let us prepare our hearts to receive the greatest gift the world has known, the baby Jesus.
I want to thank you all for the gifts and cards for Christmas to both Father Ken and me. They make it possible for us to get a break either for vacation or to visit home. Your generosity helps to make that happen. Thank you for your kindness and care. If you are traveling for Christmas, please drive safely and know of my prayers for your safe arrival there and back. Know of our gratitude for each and every one of you. Truly you are a blessing.
Father Arisman