The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Ahaz is offered a sign from God but he refuses to accept it. He does not want his life changed by the recognition of God’s presence. God does not respond by abandoning Ahaz. Instead, He manifests Himself through a virgin who becomes the sign of God’s presence for all. This virgin’s acceptance of God’s presence allows God to come among us in spite of Ahaz’s rejection.

Christ desires to manifest Himself to the world on Christmas. It is not because of unwillingness on His part that we fail to see Him as He wishes us to. The Holy Spirit is constantly calling to our hearts and asking us to receive Christ more fully. How often do we refuse to receive Christ’s presence? We try to reason our way out of the discomfort and sacrifice His call might demand. Ahaz refused to ask for a sign; we daily refuse to see or recognize the signs God sends us. How does God respond to us? “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” It is as if God were telling us, “the virgin’s ‘yes’ will replace your many ‘no’s and I can still be with you!”

We long for Christ to show Himself to us and the world at Christmas. Mary has already received Him and He is waiting silently in her womb. She longs to bring Him forth for all to see. But how can Christ come fully into the world when His hands and feet are so slow to allow themselves to be formed? As we wait for the manifestation of Christ at Christmas, we can allow Mary’s ‘yes’ to penetrate us and reform our ‘no’s. We can strive to follow Mary’s example and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us more fully so that we ourselves become a sign of His presence to others who might still be blinded by their ‘no’s.  Through our cooperation, Mary can once again bring forth her son into the world for all men to share in her joy.