As we come to the end of our Advent journey, this week’s readings offer themes that help us to understand the spirit of the season and guide us in our preparation for Christmas.
This week’s reflections include joyful anticipation as we wait for Jesus. Zephaniah, in the readings, encourages us to rejoice and exult with all our hearts.
Next, we are reminded of God’s presence that remains with His people and brings hope and safety to them.
Third, St. Paul tells the Philippians about the peace that comes from Christ and how that peace will guard our hearts and minds. St. John the Baptist this week calls us to a life of generosity and repentance.
And finally, we are encouraged by the hope that God is near and we need not be afraid.
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we are given a powerful example that focuses on how we can bring Christ to others as Mary did for Elizabeth. Mary brought Jesus to her cousin and Elizabeth recognized Him. This encounter happened through their relationship.
Similarly, we bring Christ to others through our relationships, starting with those we know and care about.
Evangelization is most effective with people we have a connection with; conversion always comes from a place of love.
Even if our family and friends already know Jesus, we can work together to deepen our faith.
During this fourth week of Advent, we focus on the fourth step in the Walk with One journey and that is to invite.
When we invite, we must follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
When the time is right, you could invite your friend into a deeper relationship with you by offering to get together for personal time together.
This meeting can be a time of fellowship and friendship or it can be an opportunity to share the joys and struggles of life and faith — but it can also be a time to share the hope that Christ brings in this season.
Take time not only to share but also to listen attentively to what God may be doing in their life.
You may even feel comfortable asking this person, “Let’s pray for each other. Would you be comfortable with that?”
And then offer to be intercessors for one another.
Next, you may find the Holy Spirit guiding you to a concrete next step in fostering your friend to a personal relationship with Jesus and the Church.
This might mean joining you for prayer together, for a small group or Sunday Mass, or some other apostolic activity.
If possible, encourage your “one” to join you for Christmas Mass or some other spiritual celebration during the Advent or Christmas Season.
We are all called to be evangelizers in joy and hope, to know that God walks with us and He too lives within us and abides within us.
We pray as we approach Christmas that we may have the same grace of the Holy Spirit as our Blessed Mother did, to “make haste” and bring Christ to others with as much humble confidence as she did when she visited her cousin Elizabeth.
We hold fast this week to the words of the Angel Gabriel, “Do not be afraid.”