Fourth Sunday of Advent

 It is hard to believe that it is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent flew by this year. In our Gospel today we are invited to spend time with Mary as she visits her elderly cousin Elizabeth.

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.” Luke 1: 39 - 45

Mary visits Elizabeth out of her generosity of spirit. Her kindness is recognized by Elizabeth and they are both filled with joy. As Elizabeth rejoiced in Mary's visit we too are invited to spend time with Mary and share with her our joys, sorrows, questions and love. May these days before Christmas give us the opportunity to spend time with Mary in prayer as we embrace the birth of Christ in our hearts.