As we approach Christmas, when we look at our streets and commercial centers, it often seems
\nthat the spiritual meaning of the season is getting lost. People are already celebrating Christmas,
\nwhile the Church is still inviting us to light the fourth Advent candle. Does this mean that we are
\nbehind or out of step with the world? No. Rather, the Church calls us to slow down, to make
\nroom in our minds and hearts so that Christ may truly come and dwell with us.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s readings focus on the identity of the One who is to come\u2014Emmanuel, \u201cGod with us.\u201d
\nThe Old Testament is filled with prophecies about the Messiah, but no prophecy is fully
\nunderstood until after it has been fulfilled. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a special child who will
\nbe born as a sign from God. At the time, Isaiah may not have fully grasped just how
\nextraordinary this child would be. Yet Christians later came to recognize that this prophecy was
\nfulfilled in the child born of Mary.<\/p>\n
In the Gospel, Matthew makes it clear that Jesus belongs to the line of David through Joseph.
\nThough not His biological father, Joseph\u2019s legal fatherhood places Jesus firmly within the
\nDavidic lineage, fulfilling God\u2019s promise. This establishes Jesus\u2019 human identity: He is truly
\nhuman, rooted in history, and part of God\u2019s covenant with Israel. His second identity\u2014His
\ndivine identity as the Son of God\u2014was revealed gradually and made fully manifest after His
\nresurrection.<\/p>\n
Saint Paul explains this beautifully in the second reading when he writes that Jesus was
\n\u201cdescended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according
\nto the Spirit of holiness through the resurrection from the dead\u201d (Romans 1:3\u20134). In Jesus, we
\nsee both humanity and divinity united: fully human and fully divine.<\/p>\n
This mystery invites us to reflect on our own identity. As children of God, we too share in a dual
\nidentity. We are human, with our weaknesses and struggles, yet through faith and baptism we
\nshare in God\u2019s divine life. Living out this identity requires faith, trust, and openness to God\u2019s
\npresence in our lives.<\/p>\n
As we light the final Advent candle, the Church reminds us not to rush past the mystery of
\nEmmanuel. God chooses to come quietly, humbly, and patiently into our world and into our
\nhearts. Let us, like Joseph, listen to God\u2019s voice, trust His plan, and make room for Christ. Then
\nChristmas will not simply be a celebration on our calendar, but a living reality: God truly with
\nus.<\/p>\n
Scripture Readings: As we approach Christmas, when we look at our streets and commercial centers, it often seems that the spiritual meaning of the season is getting lost. People are already celebrating Christmas, while the Church is still inviting us to light the fourth Advent candle. Does this mean that we are behind or out of step with the world? No. Rather, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-weekly-homilies"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/strong>Is 7:10\u201314, 10 \u2022 Rom 1:1\u20137 \u2022 Mt 1:18\u201324<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"