My friend Christine is the head of human resources at her company. Our sons went to high school together and we often share news of them when we see each other. Once, we were talking about the first of our sons’ friends to get married and I made some remark about how moved I was that they were all growing up.
“Not yet,” she observed. “They don’t really grow up until they become fathers.”
She proceeded to tell me of the many young men in her organization who start becoming much more mature and serious about their work and life after the birth of their first child. Since then, I remember her words as I watch that same reality taking place in my own family, as each of our young men focuses with love and resolve on the care of his child.
“He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children” (Lk 1:17). I am always struck at this time of year by the angel Gabriel’s announcement of the mission of St. John the Baptist. What a mystery that God the Father wants so much for the human family—for my family, for your family—that this redemption of paternal love will be the concrete sign of the coming of his eternal Son!
Published in the Advent Companion, Magnificat, 2022