Readings For Sunday December 19, 2010

Fourth Sunday of Advent

“They shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23)

Whenever you’re sad, lonely, or afraid, how heartening it is to have someone say, “I’m with you,” especially when their actions back up their words!

More than seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, a frightened ruler received just such a message—and it came from the best source imaginable. Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, God himself told King Ahaz that he would save Jerusalem from an enemy army. He even confirmed this word with a sign: “The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

Isaiah’s word to Ahaz referred to a specific young woman—perhaps a new wife of the king’s—and her providential pregnancy. But as today’s Gospel shows, that prophecy had unsuspected depths of meaning. Inspired by the Spirit, Matthew declares that Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of that promise. As God’s own Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, he is not just a sign of God’s presence—he is “Emmanuel.” He is “God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23).

This is the ultimate “I’m with you” statement! It tells us that through the incarnation, the all-powerful God came to rescue what was lost. It tells us that out of boundless love, he sent his only Son to share our lot and save us from sin and death. Surely Jesus is God-with-us!

Take it to heart as God’s message to you today. If you’re singing a happy song, he’s with you in your joy. If you’re feeling stressed, Jesus offers you his peace. If you’re hurting, he reminds you: “I am with you always”—in his word, in the Eucharist, in all of daily life (Matthew 28:20). If you feel inadequate for some task—raising a child, resolving a conflict, breaking a habit, finding work—turn to Jesus. Never, ever forget that God is with you!

“Jesus, I believe that you are ‘God with us.’ Help me to become more open to your presence and your will. I want to be with you always, just as you are with me.”




Reading 1 Isaiah 7:10-14

10 The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: 11 Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky! 12 But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” 13 Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

1. In the first reading, Ahaz’ weak response to the Lord speaking to him reminds us that we too can take for granted the wonderful revelation of God’s love for us that we have in the coming of Jesus in the Incarnation. How would you describe your own response to this revelation?

2. Isaiah’s prophecy also reminds us of the role of the Blessed Virgin in the events that have transformed our lives. In what way can her example of faith inspire your own?


Reading 2 Romans 1:1-7

1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 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. Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith,
for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;
to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

St. Paul tells us in the second reading that we are the “beloved of God.” Do you believe this? Why or why not? Share a time in the past when you have experienced God’s love in a real way?



Gospel Matthew 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “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. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 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, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

Describe the scene when Mary told St. Joseph that she was pregnant. How do you think Mary told him? What do you think she was feeling at the time? Describe St. Joseph’s reaction. List all the possible questions and thoughts that could have gone through his mind.

2. “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid,” the angel says to Joseph. Do you have fears regarding what God is asking in your life? What are they? How do you deal with them?

3. The Lord Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. Knowing that this message is true, how would your life be different today if you gave all your fears over to God? Describe.

4. If you are in a small group, take some time at the end of your meeting to pray for one another that each of you would have a greater experience of Jesus’ presence in your life. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point. In addition, during Advent, your prayers for your family should also ask God to prepare their hearts and open them so that they can receive the gift of his love this Christmas.