Father Giuseppe of the community Koinonia Giovanni Battista sent us a fourth reflection for the Sundays of Advent.

The Gospel writer makes use of the encounter between Mary and Elisabeth, to transmit to us the essence of Mary’s beatitude: “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” (Luke 1,45). Elisabeth’s exclamation reveals what truly was Mary’s greatness: she believed! Mary is a creature who believed, and had full trust in the Lord and in His promises and this is the reason for her fertility. Luke emphasises this as he continues and recounts the episode in which a women shouted from the crowd: “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you. He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11,27-28).

Jesus, the Word made flesh, introduces us into a new dimension in which it is not only possible but also necessary that I, you and we have this experience of pregnancy and ultimately bring it to birth. Christmas is the feast of the birth of the New Man among us and in us, it is the feast of the divine family that comes among us to elevate us and to make us part of God’s family.