Wednesday, December 21  

Of Advent

Zephaniah 3:14-18

Luke 1:39-45

What are those gifts that you want for Christmas? The older I get the greatest gifts I want is to be with family and friends. Our readings today speak about the importance of relationships. 

In our first reading, the prophet Zephaniah tells the people, the greatest gift is that the Lord God is in their midst, and he is filled with great joy. We should always remember that God does desire to be with us! This should be our great joy! 

In our Gospel, Mary is a pure gift to her older cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant. Mary goes in great haste, meaning she goes quickly, across the hill country to be with her cousin. Mary would have traveled about 90 miles, traveling by donkey, and making 9 to 10 miles a day. The terrain would have been…