TAKE CHRIST TO OTHERS

As we gradually approach the fulfillment of God’s promise to us, the gospel of this Sunday presents us with the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. In spite of her pregnancy, Mary still found time to visit her cousin in order to share her joy and to assist her.

This is a proof of her spirit of hospitality, generosity, humility, love, and her faith in God who chose her. This is why she is blessed. Of course, it was not only Mary who visited Elizabeth but also, the Divine Child and Prince of peace. Hence, this was a divine visitation. 

This weekend, the gospel reminds us that Jesus is reborn every day in ordinary people living ordinary lives, who have the willingness to respond to God’s call and the openness to do God’s will.

We are called to take Christ to others; to bring others to experience Christ by our positive actions as our mother Mary demonstrated in that generous and selfless visit to Elizabeth her kinswoman.

Christmas should inspire us to carry out God’s word as Mary and Jesus did, in perfect obedience to His will, in cheerful kindness and unselfish generosity.

Contrary to the belief of many that Christmas is a time to show off affluence, a time of indulging in various forms of pleasurable and luxurious living or social activities, the gospel highlights what should characterize everything we do in this period and that is taking Christ to others. A time we bring people to experience Christ by our way of living; this is the most important of all and the true spirit of Christmas. It does not matter whether you are a significant figure or not, God wants to use you to bring Himself to others.

We need to carry Jesus to others as Mary did. 

Christmas is the ideal time for us to be filled with the spirit of Christ, allowing his rebirth within us.

Once Christ is reborn in us, He enables us to share his love with all whom we encounter by offering them humble and committed service, unconditional forgiveness and compassionate, caring love.  

We also need to bless and encourage the younger generation. Elizabeth demonstrates the responsibility of the older generation to inspire the young generation. Grandparents, teachers and leaders have the responsibility of encouraging those around them. By complementing and encouraging one’s spouse, children and friends, let us make them know how valuable they are to us and to God.

Elizabeth describes Mary as the first disciple, as the one who believed that God's word to her would be fulfilled. Mary's faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to everyone. Because of this, Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan for salvation.

This season brethren, what we are about to have is a divine visitation and encounter with the child Jesus. This encounter will fill us with the Holy Spirit who will empower us as he empowered Elizabeth.

This divine encounter with Christ will bring us transformation and it will provoke peace and greater joy in our hearts as it did for Elizabeth and the child in her womb.

As we celebrate this unique sacrificial gift of Christ to the world. May our lives be sacrificial in this period of Christmas to reciprocate God’s gift of himself to us by LOVING ONE ANOTHER.