The Introit for the Advent 4 Eucharist is drawn from Isaiah 45 wherein the prophet continues expressing the longing and expectation that God will send the Messiah and restore Israel. Unlike the dread-filled imagery in the readings from the first two Sundays of Advent, the prophet’s prayerful imagery is one of peace and consolation: “Drop down dew ye heavens and let the skies rain forth righteousness”.
In Sunday’s reading from the Lukan Gospel, I suppose that is exactly the good news that Gabriel was bringing to Mary. To borrow shamelessly from a quote Father Fred used this past Sunday, the invasion of the unimaginable “dew” and “righteousness” was indeed coming down from on high through the power of God’s Spirit.
May the peace of this final week of Advent help you prepare to once again experience and celebrate the joy of Christmas!