Fourth Sunday of Advent ‘A’

The central message of this Sunday’s readings is about loving and faithful obedience to God, as  shown to us by St. Joseph. This theme is especially significant as we reflect on the miracle of  Jesus’ Virgin Birth. 

In the First Reading, the Prophet Isaiah gives King Ahaz of Judah a sign from God: “Behold, a  virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (Is 7:14).  Matthew saw this prophecy as a clear prediction of the coming Messiah, who would be born  from the line of David. 

In the Second Reading, St. Paul also affirms that Jesus is a descendant of David, and thus the  Messiah: “descended from David according to the flesh” (Rom 1:3). Paul goes on to explain that  Jesus, the only Son of God, was made known as the powerful Son of God by His Resurrection.  Paul then summarizes God’s great work in history through Jesus Christ. 

The Gospel from Matthew highlights the important role of Joseph. For Jesus to fulfill Isaiah’s  prophecy, Joseph had to accept Jesus as his son, making Jesus a legal descendant of David,  since Joseph was from David’s family. Matthew is careful to note that Jesus was not Joseph’s  biological child, but because Joseph was Mary’s husband, Jesus was legally recognized as his  son and thus inherited David’s lineage. 

Like St. Joseph, we are called to trust in God, listen to Him, and remain faithful, even when  facing challenges like financial struggles, family tensions, or health concerns. Instead of relying  only on our own plans, we should trust in God and find strength through prayer and by listening  to Him in the Scriptures. 

We are invited to experience “Emmanuel” - God with us - in our daily lives. The true message of  Christmas is that Jesus wants to enter our hearts, changing us and the world around us with the  love, mercy, and compassion of God. Let us make time this week to welcome Jesus into our  lives, so His love can make a difference in our world. 

What gift will we bring to Jesus this Christmas? Let’s remember that more than anything, Jesus  wants our hearts filled with love for God and others. This is the birthday gift He truly desires.  May we strive to be a Christmas gift to others. The best gift we can give to those we love is to  believe in them, encourage their dreams, and do our best to help them achieve those dreams.  This Christmas, let us reflect the love of Christ by building up those around us and sharing the  true spirit of the Season.