Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent

As we gather at the outset of Christmas, our Gospel today - the Annunciation of Mary - reminds that that we are above all a people of hope and of promise.  Despite all the dreariness this world has to offer, there is always a glimmer of hope and promise of better days to come.  The question for us who follow Christ, then, is simple: Will we believe in the promise?