Advent: Catholic ReflectionsЗразок

The opening prayer from today's Mass reads, "Come Lord Jesus, do not delay; give new courage to your people who trust in your love. By your coming, raise us to the joy of your kingdom where you live and reign." Our waiting is almost over and this night we celebrate the birth of the prophesied child, our God, come to us as a babe. Our hearts are fit to burst with rejoicing. In our Bible readings Psalm 88 rings out praise to God. It reminds us of God's steadfast love and his desire to be Father to us. We see this idea also in the reading from Samuel. God desires to be Father. His longing is to embrace us as his children. In Luke's Gospel we read another father's hymn of praise, Zechariah. John the Baptist's father, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks words of prophecy about his son and the loving kindness of the heart of our God. May we all be filled with the tender love of God this Christmas season.