Fourth Sunday of Advent – Year A (2025)
Sunday, December 21, 2025
As we enter the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgy draws us deeper into the mystery of God’s incarnate love, culminating in the imminent arrival of Emmanuel, “God with us.” The readings contrast the choices of two men in David’s lineage and their responses to divine invitations. We first read about Ahaz, King of Judah, who reigned in the seventh century BC, while Judah was a separate kingdom from the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Scriptures depict him as a ruler who engaged in idolatry and alliances with foreign powers that compromised Judah’s covenant with God. His reign was marked by military defeats, as well as his ill-fated appeal to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III for aid, which led to further oppression. In today’s first reading, Ahaz, besieged by threats from Israel and Aram, a kingdom in the region of ancient Syria, receives an extraordinary offer, a sign of hope amid crisis: “Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as Sheol, or high as the sky!” — Isaiah 7:11. Ahaz refuses, concealing his reluctance in piety: “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” — Isaiah 7:12. Far from humble dependence, Ahaz’s response reflects prideful self-reliance. Ahaz had already allied with Assyria and either distrusted God’s promises or considered them unnecessary. Ahaz’s choice highlights a common human failing: prioritizing control over surrendering to God. Ahaz’s refusal could not thwart God’s unwavering promise, for the prophet Isaiah declares a sign nonetheless: “The young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel” — Isaiah 7:14. This reading serves as a profound reminder that our choices can either open or close doors to God’s providential grace in our lives.
Contrast this with Saint Joseph’s bold obedience in today’s Gospel. Betrothed to Mary, Joseph learns of her unexpected pregnancy before they come together in marriage. The Gospel narrative tells us that Joseph, “a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.” — Matthew 1:19. Yet divine intervention swiftly follows: an angel appears in a dream, reassuring him that the child is conceived by the Holy Spirit and that Mary will bear a son named Jesus, the Messiah who will save his people from their sins, fulfilling the ancient prophecy spoken through Isaiah: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel” — Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20-23. Joseph, steeped in the Scriptures and attuned to God’s promises, responds with unwavering faith, taking Mary into his home as his wife. In this pivotal act of obedience, he becomes a key architect of salvation history, embracing his role in the unfolding mystery of the Incarnation.
Every day, we face choices influenced by various conflicting factors, similar to the fears and alliances of Ahaz or Joseph’s faith in divine guidance. These influences stem from our personal backgrounds, cultural norms, and societal pressures. However, in moments of prayerful discernment, we are called to listen for God’s gentle voice above all these influences, directing our choices toward His loving plan.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.