"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Merry Christmas! Jesus is born! Today we rejoice that this new life, this infant God, has come to be "the light of the human race." He is here to shine in the darkness of our sin and sadness, to bring joy and peace in place of sorrow. We celebrate this day with all the energy we have because we know that Christmas truly means good news! Many of us have topped our trees with a bright star that helps to light up our homes, especially at nighttime. These stars should be more than just plastic decorations, however! They should also shine as reminders to us of the Star of Bethlehem that announced the coming of Christ. What better way to welcome the Light of the World than with that magnificent star?

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus." Today is the last Sunday of the Advent season, and we hear in the Gospel the anticipation of the feast we will celebrate in just one day. Christmas is coming! Jesus is on his way! We have had weeks to prepare for this momentous occasion, and now we are on the very verge of its arrival. The children in our midst can hardly contain their excitement as they wait to wake up on Christmas morning. The thrill of this coming moment is meant to remind us of the joy and anticipation we should all feel as we await the coming of Christ. Yes, Christmas is a great feast, but there is more here than a remembrance of the past or a fabulous party in the present. There is a looking-ahead as well. We celebrate as we anticipate.

In the same sentence where he reminds his listeners that he has cured the blind, the lame, the deaf, the sick, and even raised the dead, Jesus concludes by adding, "The poor have the good news proclaimed to them." How did that make the list of supernatural cures? What's so miraculous about good news? The poor are not just those in physical poverty, but those whose sins have impoverished their souls. This of course applies to us. The poverty of our own sinfulness can be overcome by the forgiveness offered to us in Christ. Because of this, we have cause to rejoice!

"People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him." John the Baptist commanded quite a crowd. What was the attraction? Was it his unusual appearance-clothed in camel's hair? Perhaps it was his bizarre eating habits-feeding on locusts and wild honey. Or maybe people were captivated by the Baptist's remarkable humility in the face of such huge popularity-"I am not worthy."

Each year, this season of Advent comes around. We bless one candle each week in Advent. Let us ask God to bless our family on this First Sunday of Advent: