Two-Minute Homily by Fr Josh Whitehead for the Fourth Sunday of Advent 2023. “The beautiful reality of Christmas is that God is revealed in and through the “yes” of an imperfect human family.”
- Two-Minute Homily Transcript
Two-Minute Homily Transcript
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
Christmas eve is one of my favourite days of the entire year. It’s the anticipation that gets me, the anticipation that something amazing is about to happen this very night when we begin to gather to celebrate the wonder of Christmas. It’s also a difficult time for some people as they grapple with the reality of broken relationships and imperfect families. But the beautiful reality of Christmas is that God is revealed in and through the “yes” of an imperfect human family.On the fourth Sunday of Advent last year, our Gospel contains Joseph’s “yes” to God’s invitation to take the pregnant Mary as his wife, while today we’re offered the attention-grabbing account of Mary’s “yes” to Jesus’ conception in her womb. As we gather to celebrate the highest point of the entire history of Biblical Salvation, it’s worth noting that this climax happened for the first time, in and through a human “yes.” And it continues to take place every time we, you, me and those we accompany in faith say “yes” to Jesus’ presence in our lives.
May I invite you to join me in a simple prayer, saying “yes” to Jesus’ birth in our hearts as we eagerly anticipate the joy of this very night. Today and every day I say yes to you O Lord. In the same way that Mary said Yes to your invitation, I say Yes to your Son’s presence in my life. May my Yes, by the power of your Holy Spirit, allow you to use all the talents, skills and gifts you have given me for the purpose of building up your Body in our community. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. Merry Christmas to you and yours.