Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 21, 2025
Readings: Isaiah 7:10–14; Psalm 24:1–6; Romans 1:1–7; Matthew 1:18–24
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| The Annunciation of Mary by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1898 |
What a beautiful expression about God that we have in this Advent Season: Emmanuel—God with us! He is with us even before we came into this world. He continues to accompany us in every day of our lives, both in our joys and sorrows, struggles and strengths. As we enter into the fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgical readings invite us to experience the presence of God with us, around us and in us. God continues to surprise us with His presence in spite of our unknowability of him in its fullest reality. What we know about God is very little, and it is through other creatures. The world cannot run automatically or preplanned. Therefore, there should be someone who is overseeing this whole creation, all that exists and all that moves. In this context, the Advent experience becomes meaningful and fruitful.
1. The enchanting experience of God with us
As Advent draws to its quiet climax, the Gospel does not place us in a crowded stable or before singing angels, but in the interior world of one man—Joseph. The Gospel writer St Matthew 1:18–24 invites us to contemplate a faith that listens in silence, trusts without full understanding, and acts with courage. At the heart of this Gospel echoes a single name, repeated like a gentle refrain: Emmanuel—God with us.
Joseph discovers that Mary is with child, and his world is shaken. It is pretty abnormal for such a thing to happen to Mary. Nothing makes sense anymore. Dreams of a simple, righteous life collapse under the weight of confusion and apparent scandal. Yet Joseph does not react with anger or revenge. He chooses compassion and silence. He chooses quietness. Perhaps, this first experience must have made him quiet the rest of the infancy narratives of Jesus. He does not speak. He just remains a strong support and pillar of strength to Mary. Even before the angel speaks, Joseph reveals a heart tuned to God. He teaches us that holiness often begins not in certainty, but in kindness amid confusion.
2. Dreams - Longing of God in quietness
Interestingly, God speaks—not in public signs, but in a dream. “Do not be afraid.” These powerful words strengthen even us. These words open the door to Emmanuel. Fear is the first barrier that prevents us from recognizing God-with-us. Fear begets fear. Courage is the answer to prayer. Trust demolishes fear. Joseph is invited to trust that what seems impossible, even scandalous, can be the very work of God. Strangely, God enters human history through vulnerability, misunderstanding, and risk. God's ways are not our ways.
The angel names the child twice. He will be Jesus, because he will save his people from their unfaithfulness. And he will be Emmanuel, because God has chosen to be with his people, not from a distance, but from within their struggles. God does not merely fix problems from above; God steps into human uncertainty, fragility, vulnerability, and walks with us through it. In other words, God walks with us unhesitatingly and boldly.
3. Being awakened to the reality of God with us
In his introductory greetings to the newly formed Christian community in Rome, St Paul addresses them so beautifully that through Jesus Christ our Lord, we have received the grace of apostleship (Romans 1:1–7). That is Emmanuel, who is going to be with us, is not only a blessing, but he has made us his own, through the apostleship. He has called us to be his own. That must be the reason we see Joseph a bit timid now, gets awakened and obeys. No words, just action. God is present not only in our joys, but in our uncertainties; not only in our celebrations, but in our silent obediences.
Joseph takes Mary into his home boldly. He has no more hesitation, no more fear, no more shame. He takes responsibility for a child who is not biologically his. In doing so, Joseph becomes a living sign of Emmanuel. The sheer human faithfulness is so vivid in Joseph, only because of God with us. God dwells. That is why we choose love over fear, trust over control, obedience over explanation. It challenges us to look at the world around us. We cannot plan everything in our lives. We should have the magnanimity to bend down or accept the realities, the situations and the circumstances. We have no complete answer only but God.
Questions for self-reflection
- In moments of confusion or disappointment, do I react with fear, or do I allow space for God to speak into my situation?
- Like Joseph, am I open to trusting God even when His plans disturb my comfort and expectations?
- When I face a dilemma within our work environment or a sensitive family/community issue, or something happening within our society, to whom do I turn to seek guidance?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Emmanuel, God-with-us, as we stand on the threshold of Christmas, we place our lives gently in Your hands. In our questions, our fears, and our unfinished stories remind us that You are already near. Grant us the quiet trust of Joseph, the courage to listen when You speak, and the grace to obey even when we do not fully understand. May our hearts become a home where You are welcomed without conditions, and may our lives reveal Your presence to others through compassion, humility, and faithful love. Stay with us, Lord Emmanuel, today and always. We make this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ
E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net
Blog: Celebrate Faith
Video: YouTube
17 December 2025
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