Reflections for December 2024

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 22, 2024

Yes Christmas is about a baby – and at last, on our fourth Sunday of Advent we finally get to the baby (Lk 1:39-45). In fact not just one baby but two. And perhaps almost more importantly, for this moment, two mothers.  Mary and Elizabeth couldn’t really be more different. Elizabeth is much older, past […]

Fourth Sunday of Advent Read More »

Third Sunday of Advent

December 15, 2024

The Book of Zephaniah that gives us our first reading today is very short, three brief chapters. The first two and a half are a dire prophesy of death and destruction, about to happen in the Babylonian invasion. The final section we hear today (Zep 3:14-18a) couldn’t be more different, giving us the name of

Third Sunday of Advent Read More »

Second Sunday of Advent

December 8, 2024

Today’s readings draw heavily on those familiar images of filling valleys and leveling mountains, making straight roads in the wilderness (Bar 5:1-9).  If you’ve been on a road trip and seen a major highway, bridge, or railway under construction you will know the scale of that sort of project. It’s pretty awe inspiring. The ancient

Second Sunday of Advent Read More »

First Sunday of Advent

December 1, 2024

Well, we got through the end of the year (the end of the world), and through Thanksgiving, and even Black Friday. We’re now on the glide path to Christmas, right?  So what’s with today’s readings? Our first reading, if you squint a bit, might be looking forward to a merry Christmas – and since it’s

First Sunday of Advent Read More »