We grow closer to Christmas. The Lord is near; He is coming soon. Today’s readings speak about the Advent theme, the coming of the Messiah. The gospel makes manifest this coming and presence of the Messiah. There is no longer room for doubt. God has become so close that He lives among us. And He shows his presence through something that only God is: Love. As all true love, God’s love is directed towards the needy, the poor, those abandoned, the blind, the lame, the lepers. Where there is a need, God is there, Christ is there to make things right. May today’s readings help us to reflect about love, about giving of ourselves to God and neighbor. May we go to meet Christ, who will be born soon, with steadfast certainty.