Homily – 4th Advent Sunday, the 24th Dec 2023

Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Let us closely look at this creative painting- On the Road to Bethlehem Today.

Yes we celebrate Christmas in a context of war, violence and pain

We have friends even from Bethlehem who cannot go back home- because it is “unsafe”.

For several people Christmas is just holidays. They are even hesitant to say Merry Christmas instead they say Happy Holidays is politically more correct.

It is wonderful celebrating Ave Maria with descants and obligatos.

But behind all these celebrations is an underlying pain that I would draw your attention to today amidst our celebrations.

Every crisis point comes with coping mechanisms- that is the strength of the way we are created.

As we reflect on the gospel passage in Luke 1: 26-38 we look at how God equipped Mary the young virgin to face the challenges in her life.

Luke presents her to us as an exuberant young maiden excited about her marriage since she was already engaged and waiting for the big day in life.

Imagine being suddenly told – Mary, God has a bigger plan, you are not going to bear Joseph’s son but a divine child!

Imagine her shock.

What would Joseph do- she would have thought. Will he accept me as I am and even if he does what will his attitude be?

How will be society see me if they know about this?

We must be able to read this text beyond the social parameters of today where the shock in some contexts could be less harsh because of the rights of choices we have.

But Mary’s encounter with the Divine gives us some clues to help us when we go through tough patches in our lives.

The Presence of the Angels

In moments of Vulnerability, we experience the presence of the Angels of the Lord

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

And he came to her and said.

The Commissioning – The Angel was sent by God

The Coming Near- The Angel Came Near her

The Conversation- The Angel engaged in a conversation with her

The Comforting- The Angel Comforted her

The Confidence building- The Angel prepared Mary to take the task

Angels continue to be a reality in our lives even today. When we go through moments of vulnerability and pain we find angels sometimes taking human form and reaching out to us.

When we reach out to people in pain, for them we take the form of angels. And when they are asked- Have you seen angels? Ours could be the first image that comes to our mind.

The Promise of Grace

Grace is the strength to bear tough patches in life.

This week I had a conversation with Joyce who was my sacristan in Ashburton. At 85 she had a passion for the church and the time she spent preparing the altar and the flowers was a lesson to learn. She lived with her daughter, and I was told early this week that her daughter passed away.

She is Dutch and came seeking safer space and her entire life after her husband’s death was centred around her daughter. I contacted her when I heard of the news and she was weeping and said- Yes Vinod, I understand what Grace means. It is the strength to bear tough burdens in life.

The Mystery of the Favour of God is not easing to comprehend. The Angel Gabriel tells Mary

“Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.

If for Mary Grace and Finding favour with God meant having to give birth to her first born child in a manger, having to flee fearing his life and live as a refugee and later seeing her son being cruelly crucified before her eyes then- Joyce told me

Ave Maria- she gives us the meaning of Grace. It is God’s strength to face tough situations in life. It is the continuing promise that God is with us strengthening us.

Our prayer therefore is God help us to understand the meaning of Grace and God’s favour this Christmas time.

We need that grace- the strength to face storms in life.

Grace is God’s way of Equipping Us.

The Plans of God

The angel then reveals into Mary the plans of God.

The Mystery of the Plan of God in our lives is sometimes not easy to understand specially when it does not go the way we were planning and dreaming about our lives.

And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

The Promises about the Messiah

• His name shall be Jesus- The Saviour the World was awaiting
• Mary, did you know that your baby boy
  Would one day walk on water?
  Mary, did you know that your baby boy
  Would save our sons and daughters?
  Did you know that your baby boy
  Has come to make you new?
  This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you
• He will be called the Son of the Most High-
• Did you know that your baby boy
  Has walked where angels trod?
  When you kiss your little baby
  You kiss the face of God
• He will inherit the throne of his ancestor David-
• He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever and his kingdom shall be eternal
• Mary, did you know that your baby boy
  Is Lord of all creation?
  Mary, did you know that your baby boy
  Would one day rule the nations?
  Did you know that your baby boy
  Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
  That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am
• Friends, Christmas is the time to comprehend God’s great Plan of Salvation
• It is the time to seek afresh who Jesus the Messiah means in our lives.

The Power of God

Mary had a very simple question- How can this happen. I am a virgin. This is just impossible. But the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.

Never underestimate the power of God.

The angels then narrates something Mary could easily understand.

And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

She knew that Elizabeth and Zechariah were longing for a child and had reconciled to reality recognising that they were too old and now its not possible. But the fact that Elizabeth conceived was a testimony to God’s power

No Time is Too Late for God

No Task is Too Difficult for God.

If we are going through tough patches and are asking- Where will my help come from- the message of Christmas is simple

For nothing will be impossible with God

Just Trust and Obey

There is no other Way

Conclusion

The Pathways of God

The passage concludes with the mystery of submission to the path God wants us to tread.

Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Christmas is all about telling God- Here am I, let it be with me as you want it to be.

Christmas is all about submission and making room for God

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown

When Thou camest to earth for me;

But in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room

For Thy holy nativity;

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus!

There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,

Proclaiming Thy royal degree;

But of lowly birth cam’st Thou, Lord, on earth

And in great humility.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus!

There is room in my heart for Thee.

Vinod Victor

24 December 2023