Gods Love - Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

Today, as we light the fourth candle of Advent, we reflect on the theme of love—God's love that reaches out to us unexpectedly and calls us to respond with faith and joy. In our Scripture readings, we hear of two humble women, Mary and Elizabeth, who play pivotal roles in God's plan. We also hear the prophecy from Micah, foretelling the small and seemingly insignificant town of Bethlehem becoming the birthplace of the Savior. Together, these passages reveal God's love breaking into the world in ways that overturn expectations.The readings invite a final pause, one further holding of the breath, before the birth of Jesus. The Visitation, in particular, with its explicit and implied encounter(s), may help us reflect on all the encounters of this season, not forgetting “the” encounter to which we are all invited.

The prophet Micah declares that Bethlehem, though small among the clans of Judah, will be the place where a ruler comes forth to shepherd God's people. This prophecy reminds us that God often works through the humble and overlooked to accomplish His great purposes. Bethlehem was not a place of power or prestige, yet it was chosen as the birthplace of the Messiah. This teaches us that God's love is not tied to worldly status but flows freely to all who are willing to receive it. God's choice of Bethlehem reflects His love for the ordinary and the marginalized. Just as He chose Bethlehem, He chooses to dwell among us, meeting us in our humble circumstances. The promise of Bethlehem shows us that no place or person is too small to be used by God for His purposes.  In the Gospel reading from Luke, we encounter Mary visiting Elizabeth after the angel Gabriel’s announcement of her role in God’s plan. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes Mary as the mother of her Lord and speaks words of blessing. This moment is a profound expression of love between two women who share a deep faith in God’s promises. When a mother is expecting, all the focus is on her health. She gets loads of advice — ‘be careful,’ ‘don’t lift that’ and ‘don’t forget your afternoon nap.’ Once the baby is born the main attention moves to the baby — ‘who does she look like?’ ‘what name will you give him?’ …and so on. So on this last Sunday before Christmas the Gospel is focused on Mary, the expectant mother, and in particular, on her visit to her cousin, Elizabeth.

All Christians, whether Catholic or Protestant, like to meditate on the Magnificat, that prayerful song brimming over with anger at the way the world is tilted against the poor. Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s greeting is the Magnificat, a song of praise that exalts God’s love and faithfulness.It is Mary’s cry for justice: He has filled the hungry with good things/ And sent the rich away empty. This is Mary who inspires all followers of her son to challenge injustice also in our own time and place. Her song reminds us that God's love is active and transformative, working to bring justice, mercy, and hope into the world. Elizabeth's blessing and Mary's song demonstrate love that is rooted in faith and joy. Their meeting is a celebration of God's work in their lives and a testament to the strength found in the community. Love flourishes when we recognize God's presence in one another and support each other in our journeys of faith. The two pregnant women in our Gospel today are different in age, yet both full of joy and concern for each other. Mary goes to visit Elizabeth because of the dangers attendant on so late a pregnancy. That she went with hasted, halfway across the country, to make the visit is a clear sign of Mary’s generosity and goodness. Through the light of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth recognized Mary’s privilege as the mother of the longed-for Messiah. She greets Mary in the words we are so familiar with in our Hail Mary. And Mary responds in the equally familiar words of the Magnificat. These two great women understand the miracle of conception and birth. But in each case there was divine intervention in a truly exceptional way. The Gospel says that both were informed of this fact by the words of an angel. It is a reminder that our own lives too are a gift of God; what we might call ordinary grace. It is from this understanding that the Church takes its position on all life issues.

As we reflect on these stories, we are invited to consider how we can embody God’s love in our own lives. Just as God’s love reached Mary and Elizabeth in their humble circumstances, His love reaches us where we are. Are we willing to trust His promises, even when they seem impossible or overwhelming? Like Mary and Elizabeth, can we respond with faith, joy, and a willingness to be part of God’s redemptive work? God’s love calls us to lift the lowly, care for the marginalized, and bring hope to the weary. It is a love that requires action, a love that transforms both the giver and the receiver. As Mary’s song proclaims, this love is revolutionary, turning the world’s values upside down and revealing God’s kingdom. The Fourth Sunday of Advent reminds us that love is at the heart of the Christmas story. God’s love is present in the promise of Bethlehem, in the faith of Mary and Elizabeth, and in the coming of Jesus Christ, who is our peace. As we prepare to celebrate His birth, let us open our hearts to His love and allow it to shape our actions and relationships. May we, like Mary and Elizabeth, rejoice in the great things God has done and share His love with a world in need. Amen.