The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent always prepares us for the celebration of Christmas. This year we hear the story of the Annunciation to St. Joseph, where God, through his angel, calls on Joseph to not be afraid and to welcome Mary, and through her, Jesus, into his home.
Throughout Advent we have been reminded that just as the Lord Jesus came to us in time, so he will also return to us at time’s end. He also draws near to us in many and varied ways each day; the most common and wonderful way in which he does this is in and through the people we encounter daily. Dorothy Day once wrote
“If everyone were holy and handsome, with ‘alter Christus’ shining in neon lighting from them, it would be easy to see Christ in everyone. If Mary had appeared in Bethlehem clothed, as St. John says, with the sun, a crown of twelve stars on her head, and the moon under her feet, then people would have fought to make room for her. But that was not God’s way for her, nor is it Christ’s way for himself, now when he is disguised under every type of humanity that treads the earth.”
May we open our hearts to the grace of God that allows us to see him drawing near to us, especially in our sisters and brothers.
On behalf of Bishop Paprocki, Fathers Friedel and Rankin, Deacons Smith and Keen, and everyone on the parish staff, I want to wish you and yours a Blessed and Merry Christmas. May the light of the Christ Child enable us to see him in those around us and lead all the world to greater peace and joy. God bless you!
Father Christopher House is the Rector of the Cathedral and serves in various leadership roles within the diocesan curia, namely Chancellor and Vicar Judicial.