The Advent season closes today December 24th. The Christmas season begins with the vigil Mass this evening. 

Advent is a season rich in the scriptures. Isaiah speaks strongly throughout the season, calling Jewish exiles and all nations to the holy mountain and God’s banquet with his people and all creation. “Swords will be turned into plowshares and spears will be turned into pruning hooks and they will not train for war again.” 

John the Baptist and his parents Zachariah and Elizabeth have important roles in the coming of the Child born of Mary.  Of course, Mary and Joseph are key figures responding to the messengers of God. 

Faith and hope do not come easily, the Advent season tells us. Political unbelief appears in Ahaz who “will not tempt the Lord.” Zachariah, a priest, is struck dumb for his unbelief. John the Baptist asks if Jesus is really “the one who is to come.” Mary wonders “how can this be?”

The gospel reading today, Zachariah’s song of belief, seems to promise faith and hope conquers in the end. 

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, he has come to his people and set them free.

Christmas carols, more than the scriptures seem to dominate the Christmas season. They bring the shepherds from the dark hills and magi from the east  to the Child. They also speak of those who not believe, like Herod who goes in search of the Child. But people of faith, like Simeon and Anna, welcome the Child in the temple and take him into their arms. 

Advent and Christmas are seasons rich in the wisdom of faith. A faith that leads to great truths, as the feast of John the Apostle reminds us. A faith one should  die for, as we are reminded by the feasts of the Holy Innocents and Stephen the first of many martyrs.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS