Walking with Jesus on the Fourth Sunday of Advent

For Sunday, December 21, 2025

Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24


We are in the last days before Christmas. In our minds we are “looking at our list and checking it twice” — and we are wondering if we will ever get through it and whether we have forgotten anything. Our commercial society blocks us so much: Buy this … it’s the best last-minute gift. It just loads us with questions about things ... roles ... presents. The meaning of God, coming to us through Jesus, is lost among the Christmas cards, gift-wrapping, greetings, parties and fanciful sayings. Among these sayings are verses of “peace and goodwill to all.” The readings today challenge us directly to change our focus to the bottom-line mystery this feast celebrates: faith.

Despite all the times we have celebrated the Nativity, we still do not comprehend fully its personal meaning. God loves us so much that He came to show and prove this love ... to lead you, me and everyone to understand that love’s fulfillment is with God, the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — forever in heaven. He loves you and me that much. This is a promise, not fanciful words. Heaven is there for each of us. Do I believe this? Why would I doubt Jesus? Do I feel I have plenty of time to prepare for this? Have I put off my living in love to a time when it will be more convenient, nearer the end of my life? Am I missing the message in today’s readings that is directly meant for each of us? As I said, the feast celebrates faith. Today we see two responses to this call to faith, what it means and how are we to progress in our faith journey: Ahaz, who fails the test; and Joseph who, despite his dilemma, is a shining example of faith. Paul shows us three ways of living out this faith:  as a slave of Christ Jesus, as an apostle, and as one set apart for service. The Gospel points to the identity of Jesus — in Aramaic, the name Yeshua means “he will save” — while “Emmanuel” signifies that He forever will be both the sign and the reality of God’s presence, with each of us and leading us to Heaven.

Isaiah understands that the house of David is protected by God (see 2 Samuel 2:7-16) — where David thanks the people for burying Saul’s body and is anointed king in Hebron over the house of Judah. David promises, “And now may the Lord show you kindness and fidelity. For my part, I will show generosity to you for having done this. So take courage and prove yourselves valiant, for though your lord Saul is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.” [2 Samuel 2:6-7] Now King Ahaz is threatened by surrounding states who want to depose him. So he considers turning to the Assyrian Empire for help, showing his lack of faith in God’s protection and help. He declines God’s offer of a sign of his continued support of the Davidic monarchy. So Isaiah points to a sign: a young woman who will give birth to a son who will inherit the throne of David, making Him a sign of fidelity to God’s promise. We feel Isaiah is pointing to Mary and Jesus’ birth, yet this IS NOT the focus of the prophecy. The child and the implication of His name are the real issues. The mother ultimately names the child Emmanuel; the king plays a rather insignificant role. The real meaning is the promise of God to be with the people — us included — regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves. We just put our trust in God. Do we?

Writing to the Romas, Paul identifies himself as “slave, an apostle, and one set apart.” It is unusual that Paul, a Roman citizen, would refer to himself as a slave and glory in this designation. Yet this is the way he proclaimed the lordship of Christ in his life — it’s all about God and not me. He also is an apostle — one who has been called by another and set out to deliver a message of love — and he has been set apart for this way of life. The bottom line is that we all are loved, have been called to love, and received help and graces by God for this. How am I doing today? Where do I need help? It’s much more than gift-giving, right?

Matthew focuses on Joseph, a “son of David.” The child to come will come from the house of David as most expect the Messiah will. An adopted child is as much a child of the adoptive parents as any child. So Joseph, an adoptive father, could be considered the “real” human father of Jesus. Jesus’ descent from David is not “apparent,” but according to Jewish cultural norms it is. This is the dilemma that faces Joseph: Jewish law does allow a man to divorce his wife and he thinks this is best — but in a dream an angel reveals the true origin of the child and exonerates Mary of any impropriety. Joseph takes Mary to his house (e.g., marriage) and the child becomes his legal son This account is less concerned with Mary’s actual, perpetual virginity than with the origin of Jesus in God. He comes from God ... He is the salvation for God … He is the presence of God. The new age will be born through Him. He has promised heaven for all who have faith, believe, and live love.

What do I need today from God so that I really understand Christmas’ meaning to me?

So I reflect on:

• I think about the joys God has given me in “belonging,” especially those I may take for granted. I think about the ache of not belonging as well. Can I strengthen these today?
• On these three days before Christmas, how do I spend my money my time, my energy? This reveals much about to what I belong. Where and how am I am invested?

Sacred Space 2026 states:

“The Gospel passages given around the Christmas season are in many ways unlike anything we are given during the rest of the liturgical year. They have a sort of mystical, somewhat dreamlike quality, and it’s not unusual to find one or two of the characters receiving visits, wisdom, or information from figures who are clearly something other than human. Angels feature prominently as do dreams, and great faith and trust are required on the part of those on the receiving end. Notice Joseph particularly in this regard. It’s very inspiring to see how some of those visited respond with such openness.”