Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14 / Psalm 24 /
Romans 1:1-7 / Matthew 1:18-24
Reflection
Today, all three readings converge on
one stunning reality: Emmanuel. God with us. Isaiah prophesies it seven
centuries before it happens: "The virgin shall conceive and bear a son and
shall name him Emmanuel." Paul proclaims it as the fulfillment of all God
promised: the Gospel about His Son, "descended from David according to the
flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of
holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord." And
Matthew shows it happening: Joseph wrestling with Mary's pregnancy, receiving
the angel's message in a dream, waking up to obey what God commanded. All three
readings circle the same mystery: God becoming human, heaven touching earth,
the infinite entering the finite. Four days until Christmas. Four days until we
celebrate Emmanuels birth. But today we celebrate Emmanuel promised, Emmanuel
prophesied, Emmanuel about to arrive. The psalm captures our posture perfectly:
"Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory." We're preparing room.
Opening doors. Making space. Because the King is coming.
Isaiah speaks to King Ahaz in a moment
of crisis: enemies surround Jerusalem, and fear grips the city. God, through Isaiah, says, "Ask for a sign, make it as deep as the netherworld or as high as
the sky!" But Ahaz refuses, wrapping his faithlessness in religious
language: "I will not tempt the LORD." Isaiah's response rings with
divine frustration: "Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you
also weary my God? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the
virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel." God
doesn't wait for our perfect faith to act. He gives the sign anyway. Seven
centuries later, Matthew shows that the sign was fulfilled in Joseph's story. Joseph
plans to divorce Mary quietly when he discovers she's pregnant. But an angel
appears: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary, your wife,
into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been
conceived in her." Then the angel connects it all: "All this took
place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin
shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel." Isaiah's
prophecy. Joseph's reality. Our hope. God with us.
Paul ties it together in his letter to
the Romans. He's writing about the Gospel, the good news. He describes
Jesus with precision: descended from David according to the flesh (that's the
human part, the son of Mary and adopted son of Joseph) but established as Son
of God in power according to the Holy Spirit (that's the divine part, conceived
by the Holy Spirit). Fully human. Fully divine. Emmanuel. Paul says this Gospel
was "promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures",
that's Isaiah. And it's been fulfilled in "Jesus Christ our Lord", that's
Matthew's story. Paul's whole ministry, his entire life as an apostle, is about
bringing people "to the obedience of faith" in this Emmanuel. Not
obedience to rules, but obedience of faith, the kind Joseph showed when he woke
up and did what the angel commanded, the kind Mary showed when she said,
"Let it be done to me according to your word." The psalm asks,
"Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy
place?" Answer: "One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain." That's Jesus. That's Emmanuel. He's the
only one who can stand in God's holy place. And because He came to us, we can
come to God. Let the Lord enter. He is the king of glory. Four days away.
Franciscan
Reflection
Francis had a profound devotion to the
Incarnation, God becoming human in Jesus. He created the first nativity scene
in Greccio in 1223 because he wanted people to see and feel, and tangibly understand Emmanuel. Francis said, "We have been made children of
God through Christ, who became our brother." That's Emmanuel. That's what
we're celebrating. God didn't stay distant. He didn't send messages from
heaven. He came. He became one of us. When Francis kissed the leper, when he
embraced Lady Poverty, when he preached to birds and wolves, he was living out
Emmanuel, finding God in the unexpected, the lowly, the forgotten. Joseph found
Emmanuel in an impossible pregnancy. Mary found Emmanuel in an angel's
announcement. We find Emmanuel in the most surprising places when we have eyes
to see. Four days until Christmas. Where is Emmanuel showing up in your life
right now?
For
Your Reflection
Take your time. I hope this Advent
Season has deepened your faith.
About Isaiah's Prophecy:
- God gave the sign of Emmanuel even when Ahaz
refused to ask. Where has God shown up in your life, even when you weren't
looking?
- "The virgin shall conceive." God
specializes in the impossible. What impossible situation needs Emmanuel's
presence?
- Isaiah prophesied it 700 years early. God's timing
is perfect. What are you waiting for that requires patient trust?
About Paul's Gospel:
- Paul describes Jesus as "descended from David
according to the flesh but established as Son of God in power." Fully
human, fully divine. How does this change how you relate to Jesus?
- Paul speaks of "obedience of faith", not
just intellectual belief, but lived trust. Where is God calling you to
obedient faith?
- Paul says we're "called to belong to Jesus
Christ." Do you live like you belong to Him?
About Joseph's Dream:
- Joseph was planning one thing, then God redirected
him completely. Where might God be redirecting your plans?
- "When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel
commanded." Immediate obedience. What command from God are you
delaying?
- Joseph named Him Jesus, "he will save his
people from their sins." What sin do you need Jesus to save you from?
About Emmanuel:
- "God with us". Where do you need God's
presence today?
- The psalm says, "Let the Lord enter."
What door in your heart needs to open for Emmanuel?
- Four days until Christmas. Is there room for
Emmanuel in your life, or is the inn still full?
Praying
the Glorious Mysteries
As you pray the rosary today, see
Emmanuel's full story:
The Resurrection - Emmanuel conquers death. God with us becomes God saving
us.
The Ascension - Emmanuel returns to the Father but promises, "I am
with you always, until the end of the age."
The Descent of the Holy Spirit - Emmanuel sends His Spirit. God with us becomes God
within us.
The Assumption - Mary, who carried Emmanuel, is carried to heaven. The
Mother of God with God.
The Coronation - Emmanuel's Mother crowned Queen. A promise fulfilled in
glory.
The Glorious Mysteries show us where
Emmanuel leads from birth to death to resurrection to eternal life. Isaiah
prophesied it. Joseph trusted it. Paul preached it. We live it.
A
Quiet Challenge
This week, practice Emmanuel
awareness. Every day, look for three places where God is with you:
1. In the expected (Mass, prayer, Scripture)
2. In the unexpected (a conversation, a difficulty, a
surprise)
3. In the forgotten (the person you overlook, the moment you
rush through, the blessing you take for granted)
Write them down. At the end of each
day, you'll have proof: Emmanuel. God with us. Not just at Christmas, but every
day. Not just at Mass, but everywhere.
Let the Lord enter. He's already
knocking. Open the door.
Closing
Pray this with expectant hope:
"Emmanuel, God with us, You whom
Isaiah prophesied, whom Paul proclaimed, whom Joseph protected, whom Mary
carried, come. We are four days from celebrating Your birth, but we celebrate
today Your promise. You are descended from David according to the flesh,
establishing Your humanity. You are established as Son of God in power
according to the Spirit, revealing Your divinity. Fully human, fully divine,
fully with us. Forgive us when we live as though You are distant, as though we
must handle life alone. You are Emmanuel. You are here. With us in our joy.
With us in our sorrow. With us in our waiting. With us in our doubt. Joseph
woke and obeyed. Give us his courage. Mary said yes. Give us her trust. Paul
preached fearlessly. Give us his boldness. Let the Lord enter, enter our
hearts, our homes, our lives. You are the King of glory, and we open every door
to receive You. Four days, Lord. Four days until we hold You in the manger. But
we hold You now in faith. Emmanuel. God with us. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Then ask:
- Where is God showing up in my life that I haven't
recognized?
- Am I living with "obedience of faith" or
just intellectual agreement?
- Is there room for Emmanuel in my heart, or is the
inn still full?
Four days until Christmas. Isaiah
prophesied. Paul proclaimed. Joseph obeyed. Mary believed. The virgin
conceived. Emmanuel is coming.
Let the Lord enter. He is the King of
glory.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2025
A Franciscan Reflection
©2025 James Dacey, Jr., OFS
