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Zephaniah 3:14-18A
Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21
Luke 1:39-45
Summary
In the First Reading from the Songs of Song, my lover speaks: “Arise, my beauti-
ful one. The winter is past.” On this the shortest day of the year, from now on
the days become longer and spring is near. In the Gospel, we go with Mary as
she visits her older cousin. Mary and Elizabeth rejoice for the baby leaps in
Elizabeth womb. Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
Reflection
Advent has its roots in natures cycle of the winter solstice, when the sun is far-
thest south of the equator, when darkness is longest and light is shortest. In 274
the Roman Emperor Aurelian declared December 25 the “Feast of the Invincible
Sun,” light triumphing over darkness. By 336 Christian had their own festival
honoring the Light of the World triumphing over evil and darkness. Today we
continue to affirm that the true king of light and goodness still brings light and
hope to our world.
I am awe struck by the faith of both Mary and Elizabeth, two women from differ-
ent ages—each pregnant with a prophet, each pregnant under unusual circum-
stances, each willing to be selfless for the benefit of others.
Each day I am delighted to work with a willing crop of “pregnant” volunteers.
One person says we need to reach out to the Gay and Lesbian community. A
team comes together to brainstorm, a leader emerges and a ministry is born.
We need a group for men to share their spiritu-
ality. Once again brainstorming, leadership
rises to the top, and a ministry is born. With a
plethora of ministries here at the parish we have
experienced many pregnancies. At Holy Family
we seem to have about two ministry pregnancy