“…and you shall name him Jesus.” (Lk. 1:31)

We have watched, repented, and rejoiced. Now, the very object of our watching is near, the very reason we’ve washed ourselves in penance, the very source of our joy. Christmas is near—the advent of God in the flesh and the re-beginning of everything, your re-beginning and mine.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent we focus on the Blessed Mother. The first Christmas was hers, and she remains our model. In purity, she heard the word of God and received it into her heart, accepting it for what it was. She teaches us that to celebrate Christmas aright, we must first say Yes to God. We must accept the gift for what it is and not for what we want it to be. We can’t accept only part of the gift either, but all of it. Like Mary, we must say Yes to the whole of God’s plans.

That, really, is the final lesson of Advent—accepting the gift as it comes and as it is. Only the gospel in full will change you. Only Christmas that is full of Christ will mean anything. You know this—you just need to let it touch your heart.

Have a blessed Christmas! Whatever your plans are in this unusual Christmas season, may Christ be with you and yours. A little early, I know, but: Merry Christmas! May you have every joy and every blessing!