SAINT FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI – 22nd DECEMBER
December 22, 2024
Luke 2:7
December 22, 2024
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This final Advent will culminate next Sunday with Christmas Day and the lighting of the Christ candle, the fundamental reason we celebrate Christmas.
But today, on this Fourth Sunday of the season, we light the candle of LOVE! John 3:16 reminds us of God’s love for us. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
On this 4th Sunday of Advent, light all three violet candles and the rose candle on your Advent wreath and pray that the light of Christ will enter your heart so that you may share the warmth of God’s love with those you meet.
TODAY’S GOSPEL
Luke 1:39-45
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
𝟰𝗧𝗛 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 – 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘
On this 4th Sunday of Advent, we are reminded of the deep love and grace that God has poured into the world through the birth of His Son. The words of Elizabeth in Luke 1:42, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb,” speak of the extraordinary love and humility of Mama Mary, who carried Jesus, the ultimate gift of salvation.
As we near the celebration of His birth, let us reflect on the love that unites us to God and to each other. This season calls us to open our hearts in anticipation, to allow God’s love to grow within us, just as Mary did. May our prayers and actions be filled with gratitude for the blessings in our lives and the immense love we are called to share with the world.
On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes Love. It reminds us that God is Love.
Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. … JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! COME, LORD JESUS, COME !
