Drop down dew from you heavens from above...

In abbeys around the world as the monks gather in choir, in the days before Christmas they daily sing the O Antiphons which cumulatively make a beautiful Advent Prayer:

"The O Antiphons:"

O Wisdom proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, come and save us!

O Lord and Law Giver, come rescue us by your power!

O Root of Jesse's stem, come to save is!

O Key of David open the gates to our heavenly home!

O Day Spring from on high, shine on those in the shadow of death!

O King of the nations, come and bring us peace!

O come Emmanuel, O come to save us!

IN 1981 I VISITED JERUSALEM and one day we took the bus out to the suburbs to visit the Church of the Annunciation built over the place where tradition held that Mary visited Elizabeth, the scene of today's Gospel.

The Church is fairly recent and contains beautiful tile mosaics depecting the scene of their meeting.

When we left the church some Jewish school girls were standing at the corner waiting for their bus and chatting happily.

And I could not help but think: "There is another MARY showing forth the good news of the day!"

The Introit of today's mass proclaims:

"Drop down dew you heavens from above, and let the clouds rain down the just one. Let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour!"

Isaiah

A reminder that every fiber of the body of Jesus came from Mother Earth.

As Pope Francis reminds us, we are to reverence the earth, our home and the planet that Jesus made his home.

And so as Christmas approaches, we pray:

Come Lord Jesus.

Welcome home once again!

You come now in sign and Sacrament.

Welcome to earth!

Welcome into our hearts.

May we cherish your coming and our earthly home!

Amen