The fourth "week" of Advent hardly begins on Sunday when we quickly switch gears and begin the Christmas Season with the Vigil Masses on Sunday evening. The joyful anticipation of Advent turns into the joyful celebration of Christmas. It is Mary who leads us to her Son, the King of Kings and Prince of Peace. 
The Gospel for the fourth Sunday of Advent tells of the joyful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth.  Mary had just received the message that she was to be the Mother of the Savior, and she quickly travels quite a distance to visit her cousin Elizabeth. The angel had announced to Mary that Elizabeth, too, was to give birth.  Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, reaches out in charity to assist her cousin, as well as to share her joy. 
The two children also have an encounter in this meeting of their mothers. Elizabeth says, "For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy." John the Baptist, even as a child in the womb, is overjoyed to meet his cousin Jesus. They will not meet again until Jesus approaches John at the Jordan River to be baptized some years later. 
Like our patron, St. John the Baptist, we, too, are filled with joy to meet Jesus, who comes to us today, and everyday, in the Eucharist. As we come to celebrate the solemn feast of Christmas, we know that it is only Jesus Christ who can give us the peace we so long for. We plead with the Lord to "make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved."  (Psalm 80)  We recognize our need for a Savior. On our own, we could never find the peace our hearts desire. But our God has come to save us!

This Christmas, invite the Lord Jesus into your heart once again, or maybe for the first time. 
Invite Him to show you His face. Allow the Lord of the Universe, who came to us as a little child, to fill your life with His peace. 

Ask Him to help you to carry His light to the world, a world that so desperately needs peace.

"We want to express our gratitude to the parish community for your response surrounding the death of our son Peter. We have been overwhelmed by the support we've received through cards, memorial gifts, attendance at the wake and funeral, practical help, and, especially, prayers. Financial gifts will be put in a fund in Peter's name to be used for medical expenses and charitable causes.  (We will notify the parish when we decide where to donate the money.) Please continue to keep us in prayer, as it is only God's grace which sustains us."

In Christ,
Brad, Libby & Isaac DuPont 

Editor's Note: Please make checks payable toSt. John the Baptist, and DuPont Fund should be written in the memo line. Bring checks to the Parish Office, or mail to: St. John the Baptist Parish, 835 2^nd Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112-6842. Thank you and bless you.