"The 'Nearness' of God Is a Question of Love"

This third Sunday of Advent is called "Gaudete Sunday" 

(by Benedict XVI)

"Rejoice," following the entrance antiphon of the Holy Mass that takes up St. Paul's expression in his Letter to the Philippians, which says: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I tell you: Rejoice."

Immediately afterward St. Paul explains why: "The Lord is near" (Philippians 4:4-5). This is the reason for joy. But what is meant by "The Lord is near"? How are we to understand this "nearness" of God? The Apostle Paul, writing to the Christians of Philippi, is obviously thinking about Christ's return, and he invites them to rejoice because this return is certain. Nevertheless, the same St. Paul, in his first Letter to the Thessalonians, warns that no one can know the moment of the Lord's return (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2) and puts them on guard against all alarmism, as if the Lord's return were imminent (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).

Thus, already at that time, the Church, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, understood more and more that the "nearness" of God is not a question of space and time, but rather a question of love: Love is near! Christmas will come to remind us of this fundamental truth of our faith and, before the crèche, taste Christian joy, contemplating in the face of the newborn Jesus the God who drew near to us for love.