The celebration of the birth of the Lord is hours away. This Fourth Sunday of Advent gives you the chance to recollect yourself, take a breath, and enter the Christmas mystery.

During the holidays, some of us will be traveling again—perhaps after a long time away from an airport. The rest of us may well be waiting on the other end for travelers to arrive. One thing you learn quickly in airports, on either side of the process, is that planes are often late.

A day or so or so after my mother died, my sister- and brother-in-law appeared at my door with a pecan pie. For the next couple of hours, we sat in the kitchen, ate pie, drank tea, and shared memories of our mothers.

To make ourselves worthy to serve God, we turn to God’s mercy.

I will look after you and I will look after anybody you say needs to be looked after, any way you say. I am here. I brought my whole self to you. I am your mother.