It is 12th December 2015. We celebrate the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mother of God appeared to a poor Mexican Indian, Juan Diego in 1531 in Mexico. Our Lady spoke the native tongue and appeared as a native Indian princess. Million of natives got converted by this miraculous appearance of our Lady to the poor man. The reading are from Sir.48:1-4, 9-11 and the Gospel from Mt.17:10-13. The first reading of the day wants to highlight Elijah, a prophet of the ninth century B.C. presents all the glorious prophetic works he performed. He and Moses appeared at the Transfiguration of our Lord talked with Jesus. The responsorial Psalm prays, “God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.” (Ps.79:4). The Gospel clarifies the issue of the coming of Elijah. Jesus pointed out to the disciples that Elijah has indeed come back and they understood this to be John the Baptist. Just like Elijah and the John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord, we need to prepare and make sure all is ready for the celebration of the Birth of Lord in our hearts. Christmas is nothing to do with expensive outwardly and mundane preparations. It is the preparation of our hearts and lives to encounter Jesus our Redeemer. When there is no proper preparation internally taken place, we might miss out the true and comforting presence of Jesus during the Christmas. May God give courage to clear the unwanted.