Sunday Advent IV
24 December 2023
It is not easy to be God. Of course, you have good days. A good day, for instance, was the seventh day, when the creation was finished. God saw that all was very good. But you have many bad days. Remember the days of Noah: “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually”. (Between you and me, I, too, have this impression on certain days when I look at the world at large – even if I am surrounded by good people). We know what follows: “The Lord was sorry that he had made man on earth, and it grieved him to the heart” (Gn 6: 5-6). The Psalms also mention another of God’s bad days. On that morning, God looked “down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there any that act wisely, that seek after God”. And what was his conclusion? “They have all gone astray, they are alike corrupt; there is none that does good, no, not one” (Ps 14: 2-3).
The Gospel we have just heard speaks of a very good day for God; for God and for us. For on that day, God’s gaze was satisfied with what He found. True, it was the fruit of long effort. From eternity, God chose Mary, the humble girl of Nazareth, with the view of asking from her a very special service. God wanted His eternal Son to be born in time as a son of man. For this, He needed a woman who would agree to be His mother. He had accordingly prepared Mary and equipped her so that she might be a worthy mother for His incarnate Son. Now, He needed her consent, which is precisely why He sent her His angel. It is not God’s style to impose on us a service. He likes us to say Yes. He wants us to be free. Therefore, He did not come Himself – He knew He might be slightly too imposing, maybe frightening. He sent an angel.
And He did well. The humble virgin of this unknown village was not used to visits from heaven. No wonder she felt a bit surprised at first. But the angel knew how to reassure her. She had not to be afraid. She had not done anything wrong. She was on very good terms with God. God was happy with her. God loved her. Only, He was asking her for a favour.
The angel did not ask a question, though. He did not say: ‘Would you kindly agree to?’ or ‘Would you consider?’ Just as the King does not invite you to dinner, but commands you to present yourself to Him on such date at such time, God, through the voice of Gabriel, gave an order which had to be understood as an invitation: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and shall call his name Jesus”. We may translate: ‘I offer you the privilege of becoming the Mother of my Son. Do you agree?’
There was a little moment when one might have feared that God would have one bad day more, for Mary did not answer with an enthusiastic Yes immediately. Rather, she asked a question: “How shall this be, since I do not know a man”. This pleased God a lot. He loved this prudence of the Virgin. He appreciated her wisdom. She made no delay but did not rush with precipitation either. And, of course, she was right. There was a small technical problem – if I may express it that way. This Son, to be fully human, needed a father. Only God the Creator could dispense with this vital element, and it is precisely what He planned to do. But of course, this had to be explained, which the angel duly did: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you. With God nothing will be impossible”.
Now comes the really good moment for God – and for all of us. Because we all are in suspense. How will she answer? If she says Yes, what good news for our old world! Could she possibly refuse? We are anxious because sometimes we are silly and we say No to very good offers, just because we prefer our own views and desires. But God is not anxious. He knows He has prepared all things well. He is sure all will be well with Mary. He waits with the joyful expectation of the master who knows that His work will succeed. Moreover, He waits with the joyful trust of the one who, out of love, is sure of the love of His beloved. He waits with perfect confidence and nevertheless receives the answer with wonder and gratitude.
“I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word”. We find it beautiful and moving. God finds it amazing. We are filled with hope and gratitude. God is filled with this overflowing joy which the Scriptures call “the praise of His glory” (Eph 1:12). God is so happy! He is having such a good day that it blots out all the bad days ever. A good day has dawned for Him and for us; a day which will never end. This is the good day of God on earth. It began secretly with the promise made to the woman after the fall that her offspring would crush the head of the enemy (Gn 3:15). It was continued through all the annunciations, miraculous births, and divine salvations which God wrought throughout the Old Testament. It was prepared in a hidden manner when Mary was conceived without sin. It is manifested to Mary herself on the day of Jesus’ conception, the day of her Annunciation. It will be revealed tomorrow, on Christmas Day, by the birth of the Child. It will be manifested to the world in the Epiphany, only to be fully declared on the day of days, the day of the Resurrection of the Lord – which we celebrate at Easter and on each Sunday.
Truly, this is a good day for the Lord. Let us not make it bad by our faults, or simply by our slowness in answering God’s call. “O that today you would listen to His voice. Harden not your hearts!” (Ps 95:7-8) “Today you will know that God is with us!” O come, O come Emmanuel!