Fourth Sunday of Advent, 2024

Micah 5:1-4a, Psalm 80, Hebrews 10: 5-10, Luke 1:39-45

“O little town of Bethlehem…”

Christmas is almost here. The event of Christmas seems to me to be one of the sweetest mysteries of God’s divine Providence. It is also a mystery rich in contrasts.

The silent divine Word commanded the creation of our magnificent universe more than thirteen billion years ago. Then, a little over two thousand years ago, the newborn Babe’s tiny, clenched fist opened to grasp His mommy’s finger. He had to depend on his mother Mary for his very life. The omnipotence that He wielded at creation preceded his short lifetime of appearing powerless.

There are similar contrasts in the readings today and, I would imagine, in our own lives.

Bethlehem was too small to be among the clans of Judah (Micah Ch. 5), yet from that tiny town would come a great ruler, the Savior of the world. His origin was “from of old, from ancient times”, time beyond anyone’s memory except God’s. This opens my view as wide as eternity, both before and after the Incarnation. His saving grace, initiated by the Virgin’s fiat, now extends throughout future ages. Our choices, too, affect eternity.

But His birth happened at a particular moment in time, as did mine and yours. And our all-wise God picked the perfect time, the perfect family, and the perfect attributes for us. Each one of us is part of his great plan and his great gift. Our birth can also carry blessings long into the future. Let us do all we can so that happens.

We see that at the proper time in history, from a hidden little town, came one divine Person as a Man. He is the Model of those who govern all towns. Each of us individual persons also originated in the eternal mind of Love, who is God. According to His most loving plan, we were born into a specific neighborhood and have a definite lifespan in which we contribute as much as we can to the riches of Love in the larger world. This we do while living in a society where we can all work together for the common good. Do I send out ripples of love in my community?

We can ponder two thoughts here about those who manage the care of others. One is that God allows people to rule. He invites us to work with him in the management of his world. The ruler who was to shepherd Israel would be both God and Man. We, too, and how marvelous it is, have free will and other powers to conduct our own lives within our little circles. We involve God in our daily decisions, by asking and allowing Him to lead us, so that His saving plan is fulfilled in us, as it was in Christ (Hebrews 10). The angels “collaborated” with God to enlighten the shepherds, and they in turn must have shared excitedly with others. We cannot help but influence the people in our lives.

The other, and contrasting thought, is that God already has things set up for us so that we can live in union with His will (cf Hebrews Ch. 10), do good on earth, and go later to join Him in heaven.

How can I do this? First, I humbly accept the limits that are mine in life, in my own little Bethlehem, and second, I prayerfully make use of them according to what I believe is God’s will. In place of the sacrificial offerings of the old covenant, “we have been consecrated by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” By my baptism, which Jesus won for me by his offering, I have been consecrated to God!!

At Christmas and through this season, I will ask God to join my praises to the magnificent angelic choirs, and do my best to proclaim to others the joys that little Jesus won for me.

From little comes great. After hope comes fulfillment. The Babe of Bethlehem will do for you and for me wonders beyond belief.

But in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light….

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.