4th Week of Advent: Experiencing the Grace of God

The 4th week of advent is very short; just a day before Christmas. Yet the readings of the week remind us that we have a loving God who gives us what we need.

Fr. Dom asked the congregation “Is your heart at rest? “He said today we reminded that we have a God who knows what our heart needs -“I will give you rest from all your enemies.” (2 Sam: 7:11). The Lord through prophet Nathan assures David of relief from his foes. This Christmas we are invited to sit with the Lord – spend some time with Him at the crib; allowing Him to give our souls the rest it craves.

The first nativity scene was instituted by St Francis of Assisi, 800 years ago in Greccio, Italy. St Francis explained that he was trying create a work of art but rather to “provoke amazement” that our God became man, endured poverty and suffering for us.

Pope Francis quotes:

“the Nativity scene was created to bring us back to what truly matters: to God Who comes to dwell among us.”

“is a place of encounter where, we bring to Jesus the expectations and worries of life, just as the shepherds of Bethlehem and the people of Greccio did.”

“Let us go before the Nativity scene..we entrust to Jesus all we hold dear, we too will experience ‘great joy’.”