Homily on 12-22-24

Hope.  Expectation.  Joy.  These are the themes of Advent that converge here on the final Sunday of Advent.  The scene of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth is full of each of these themes, and out of them even come some phrases of the beloved prayer, the Hail Mary.  Although Mary and Elizabeth haven't walked this earth for thousands of years, those themes still live on in Christians every day.  As we look forward to celebrating Christmas later this week, are you full of hope, expectation, and joy?  Will you be welcoming guests into your home and heart with hope, expectation, and joy?  Might you welcome Christ too?

We appreciate Fr. Jim Miller stepping in for Fr. John this week!  Because Fr. John won't be celebrating all of our Masses each weekend just yet, we'll continue to welcome guest presiders and homilists to our podcast for the next few weeks.  From all the staff of the Emmaus Pastorate, we with you and yours a very merry Christmas!