Celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Mary

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As we enter the second week of Advent, we are called to deepen our appreciation of all that God, our loving Father, has done for us. He so loved the world and all of us that he sent his only Son to be born in our life so that we might have eternal life. But today's feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary reminds us that she was the one blessed among women as she was chosen to be the mother of the Saviour. The great sign of God's love for us was only possible when Mary said yes to the invitation extended to her by Gabriel. But the mystery of God's love continues in us today as Paul reminds us in the second reading. ''Before the world was made, he chose us in Christ to live through love in his presence.'' (Ephesians 1:3-6). Mary did not know what her future would be but she accepted that God would give her the grace, the faith and the strength to carry out what God had planned for her. We too do know know where God is leading us, but we trust that he will lead us on the path of peace and happiness. However, we know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago and that war is still being waged where he was born to bring peace. Soon the crib will be appearing in our churches and perhaps in our homes will and as we gaze at the Holy Family let us thank Mary for bringing Jesus into the world, but today he is needed more than ever. May Mary help us to allow Jesus to be reborn in our hearts bringing his peace to us and to all those who are yearning for a peaceful Christmas.