4th Sunday in Advent

Today we light the 4th and last candle on our Advent wreath as we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent.  Our preparation for Christmas is almost finished...THE BIRTH OF JESUS is now imminent. Very soon we will be celebrating the memory of that great event. Today’s Mass prepares us for the Christmas celebration. It is appropriate that the readings for this Sunday are so pregnant with hope and anticipation; they mirror and magnify the excitement that comes with true waiting, knowing we are on the cusp of experiencing God's unlimited love made manifest to us once again.
Today the Pope in his Sunday Angelus spoke of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin, Elisabeth – the episode narrated during the Gospel reading for the day. 
The Holy Father focused on hospitality as he said, " Wherever there are those who welcome one another, where there is careful attention, wherever there are people who make room for another,” he said, “there is God – and the joy that comes from Him."  
“Let us imitate Mary in the Christmas season, visiting to those who are experiencing difficulty, especially the sick, the imprisoned, the elderly and little children,” prayed Pope Benedict, “and let us also imitate Elisabeth, who received her guest as God, Himself.” The Pope concluded by asking the faithful to pray that all men might seek God earnestly, and find that it is God Himself who comes first to visit us.”