In today’s Gospel we hear of the coming of Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” We celebrate three Advents: the birth of Christ, his Second Coming, and his presence in the world today. Our daily lives are attended by God’s presence. Indeed, “God is with us.” The Good News of Christ’s Incarnation is that we are the sign, the “sacrament,” of Christ’s presence in the world. People are supposed to see us, see how we love one another, see how we treat the stranger among us, see how we give comfort to the poor and afflicted, and share the Good News with joy. They see how good stewards are the light of Christ. And there can be no possible response except to say: “God is here!”
