The Gospel this weekend is the Annunciation and it is placed here on the Fourth Sunday of Advent as the final and most important announcement concerning the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  This message is carried to Mary by none other than the angel Gabriel who calms her fears and anxiety by telling her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
 
The angel than goes on to describe the importance of this child —“He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David his father, and He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” and finally departs from her.  Mary’s reaction to this news is one that should remind us that we are all in the service of Almighty God —“May it be done to me according to your word.”
 
The word continues to be alive among us each time we hear the scripture or the read the Bible.  God is speaking to all of us, not through the angel Gabriel, but most certainly through His divine word.  What it is saying to us and how we live and proclaim God’s good news is our responsibility.
 
Our proclamation of living this word is indeed a Christmas present that keeps on giving…