The scripture readings this 4th Sunday of Advent set us up so well for the coming celebration of Christmas. They insert us into the narrative of scripture just before the birth of Christ, and they can help spiritually form us to be best prepared for such a celebration. The theme of “gift” runs throughout these readings. In our first reading, the great king, David, wanted to give to God a more fitting (as he judged it) structure in which to dwell compared to the traveling sanctuary-tent in which He hitherto was accustomed to dwell. Yet, throughout scripture, God makes it clear that no mere human construction could possibly be a fitting dwelling for Him (Is 66:1). God turns the tables on David and promises that He will build for him an everlasting “house”, i.e. an everlasting dynasty. David wanted to give to God something special, but God ended up giving to David something far greater. So too in our Gospel, it is implied that Mary had already made a gift of her whole self, body and soul, to God even before the angel Gabriel appeared to her. Her response to the angel Gabriel’s proclamation (“How can this be since I have no relations with a man?”) would make no sense unless she had already made a vow to God to remain celibate and use her body only for the glory of God. More importantly, Mary wasn’t only preserved from Original Sin at the moment of her birth but she had chosen to remain in that state of grace by being faithful to God’s will at every moment. Thus, she truly was “full of grace.” Still, God “outdoes” Mary and gives to her something far more extraordinary than she (or the world) could ever have anticipated. God was to take on flesh in her womb by the gift of the Holy Spirit! As we move into this 4th week of Advent and into the Christmas season, let us pray for the spiritual courage to remain focused on this saving truth: God has given us the most perfect and undeserved Gift of all; “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (JN 3:16). Because of Who God has given to us, we truly have nothing to fear and we truly lack nothing. In the weeks to come, let’s focus on how we can share the gift of Jesus Christ with those in our life. Is there anything better we could give? I sincerely and most warmly desire for all of you to have a most blessed Christmas season. God bless you, and, as always, you remain in my heart and prayers. With fatherly love, Fr. Stiles