The world is smaller. We travel great distances easily; social media connects us; we know immediately everything that is going on. Yet, paradoxically, many people feel more lonely than ever.

Mary, after the Annunciation, teaches us a valuable lesson. She traveled through the hill county to bring the good news to Elizabeth, not an easy journey for anyone, especially a young pregnant girl. The joy and light of Christ needs to be shared.

It might be a good idea to stop and ask ourselves, “Who is Elizabeth for me? Who can I reach out to this Advent?” Sometimes the answer isn’t the easy one. I was recently inspired by a man who traveled to the Philippines to bring solar lights to the people devastated by the Typhoon. Thankfully most of us don’t have to travel that far to share light with someone in darkness, but we should still reach out, and think how we can give the gift that really matters: love.