A Christmas Poem

By Matt Cinadr

Christmas is coming

Advent is here

Is there a better time of the year?

mary

Gabriel

Gabriel means “God is my hero” or “God’s mighty man.” He is one of only two angels identified by name in the Bible and appears in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. Angels are messengers of God, and it is the angel Gabriel who brings miraculous birth announcements to both Zechariah and Mary. His presence invokes both fear and awe, although his messages from God are celebratory in nature.

“Is there is a better time of the year?” What a question! The short answer is: Yes! Easter Time is so important that it is celebrated every Sunday. Before Easter and before Christmas came the events we celebrate in Advent. To me it seems that during Advent we’re called to Get Ready, Be Prepared! Wait and Watch.

As you find time, you might think about one small phrase from today’s first reading Isaiah Chapter 7:1:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” (Emphasis added)

This sign is a huge gift and it is a sign of the times, a sign for all times. This sign really reminds us; Get Ready, Be Prepared! Wait and Watch.

We are frequently reminded of how this sign came to be. In many ways today’s gospel, in fact, all gospels, offer us links to the prophets of old, we have the sign, sent by the Father, the Word of God, The Word made flesh. The initial moment of The Word being made flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit is recorded in many works of art, Christmas cards, stained glass windows and statues. The picture on the top of this essay is a current artistic rendering I found on the Internet. We are reminded of the importance of angels when we read about the Annunciation and Mary’s response. Luke tells us Mary was greatly troubled.

Imagine what your reaction would be if you were called by “ God’s Mighty man” (Gabriel). Let’s put ourselves in Mary’s position. Here are a few questions we could ask:

What was Mary doing when Gabriel appeared?

How long did it take for Mary to Get Ready?

What had she done to Be Prepared?

Had she been Waiting and Watching?

Today’s gospel, reminds us of how the Living Word of God was made flesh. The Word made flesh dwells among us. Advent is here, is there a better time of the year to Get Ready, Be Prepared, Wait and Watch?