She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins…Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us.”
Matthew 1:21, 23

The Gospel of Matthew ushers in the fourth week of Advent and reminds me once more of the “indescribable gift” we prepare to receive at Christmas. The familiar refrain, “Come, Lord Jesus” has deep meaning this year, as it does every year, because it is a call of hope.

Come, Lord Jesus, bring your peace among us.
Come, Lord Jesus, bring your justice among us.
Come, Lord Jesus, spread your love among us.
And as the days of Advent usher in the joy of Christmas,
I am reminded—Emmanuel, God-with-us, lives!

As we enter into these days of Advent, I invite you to reflect with this different kind of Advent poem by Oscar Romero.  It reminded me that Jesus’ mission is still as relevant today as it was in his time. It reminded me, too, that I am called to share in some part of that mission.  The poem also reminded me of the real joy of Christmas—the presence of God-with-us in our past, in our present and in our future.

What reminders might it hold for you?  Wishing you Advent blessings and Christmas joy! 

The God We Hardly Knew
by Oscar Romero

No one can celebrate
a genuine Christmas
without being truly poor.
The self-sufficient, the proud,
those who, because they have
everything, look down on others,
those who have no need
even of God- for them there
will be no Christmas.

Only the poor, the hungry,
those who need someone
to come on their behalf,
will have that someone.
That someone is God.
Emmanuel. God-with-us.
Without poverty of spirit
there can be no abundance of God.