Well, here we are, ready to light the fourth candle; this day is that opportunity to complete your needed last-minute shop—but hurry as today is also Christmas Eve. In previous years, your parish might have had a Christingle Service, or a nativity play with the children. This has been a rushed Advent as we have had to squeeze so much in. I will miss the traditional carol service at the local Anglican Church, with wonderful ecumenical hospitality afterwards-the homemade mince pies were always my favourite of the season. On this Sunday there was a general feeling that we were almost there! Well, this year we are! Here we are on Christmas Eve with people wondering do they really need to go to Church twice on the one day? This Fourth Sunday is not part of a spiritual maths test—it is, however, that final opportunity to prepare ourselves for the feast that does start tonight.

Christmas WILL take place. We, as Church, will still offer the Christmas liturgy either in person or online. We will exchange gifts, cards, and greetings; traditional Christmas lunch will take place, after we have watched the King's speech .

Our Gospel today takes us to the home of the teenager, Mary in Nazareth. Gabriel, the messenger from God, asks her a favour-even in her fear, she is willing to take a risk. The favour involves her and Joseph, her betrothed giving themselves fully into the hands of God and trusting in that will in a very difficult human situation. Mary and Joseph remain our icons of trust for us today too: we have all experienced a global hurt and have had to put our faith in the experts.

A simple "YES" from a young Palestinian peasant girl changed our history. Your "YES" can make a real difference today and change your history or the life of another; your generous response can change lives for the better. Your faith and trust can be one of the best Christmas gifts you give to today: tell your family and friends how much they mean to you! Pick up your phone or write a text and tell them if they are far away and you cannot be with them. Your "YES" to Christmas 2023 will impact others in ways that you will probably never be aware of-so, thank you! The Good News in today's Scripture message is not only that God is making provision for the His people, but also that He has a plan for each individual person. Just as God called Mary, we too are called to move forward with unconditional love and guidance. In many cases, our work for God seems rather ordinary, but each ordinary task which we carry out fits into God's plan in ways that we perhaps cannot fully understand. God desires not the skill of our hands and talents alone, but the love of our hearts. The Babe in the Manger reminds us of what God has done and is still doing for us. What are we doing in return? Let us show our gratitude to God by living as true followers of Christ.

It is Mary's faith that makes the incarnation possible. And it is our faith that makes the incarnation possible in our own world. We can bring the Child to the world in our daily and simple interaction with others; Incarnation brings new meaning to our families, to grow with us, to be with us. And it is through the goodness of our own faith, one with him, that the love of God is to be radiated out into the whole world. The faith of that Holy Family shows that we are invited to be fully involved: our faith is something that we live fully, not just for a couple of hours on a Sunday. We are called to share the compassion of Jesus with those we meet today. Even though it is going to be different this year, friends and family will still need help-washing up support in the kitchen will be very much appreciated. As Pope Francis reminds us Mary can help us deepen our faith and share it with others:

The gaze of Our Lady helps us to look at one another as brothers and sisters. Let us look upon one another as one family. Mary teaches us to have that gaze which strives to welcome, to accompany and to protect. (22nd September 2013)

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by Mourad Saadi on Unsplash