Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, Ps. 24:1-6, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
Last Sunday, our readings invited us to rejoice regardless of whatever we may be going through. When John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus, Jesus counted his blessings; the blind can see again, the physically challenged walk, the dead are raised to life, and the poor receive the Good News. The best thing to do in moments of fear and worry is to count our blessings and reassure ourselves again that God still cares, and that He never sleeps.
Building on that, our readings today present Jesus Christ as Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” When we celebrate Christmas, we affirm that God is not far from us. God is here with us; God is always here for us, no matter what we may be going through. Other lessons contained in our readings include:
1. Trust in God, not in Military Might
In today’s first reading, God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah, challenges King Ahaz to seek a sign. At this point in history, Ahaz, king of Judah, learned that the kings of Syria and Israel had formed a coalition and were marching to wage war against him.
When the news of this war came to Ahaz, “his heart and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.” (Isaiah 7:2). Ahaz was completely terrified because the only thing he could trust was his military strength.
Ahaz did not realise he had something far greater and more superior than all the weapons of the world put together. Ahaz and his people were taken by fear because they did not know or did not know that they had God with them.
Isaiah’s prophecy served a significant purpose: to make Ahaz aware of the name Emmanuel, “God in the midst of His People.” Sing: Emmanuel…. Emmanuel…. Your name is Lord… Emmanuel.
Are you scared? Are you troubled? Who has threatened you? Have you heard something in the news that makes your heart shake like the trees of the forest? What is it that troubles you? There is one message for you today. It is contained in the name Emmanuel; the God you serve is not far away, He is with you. He sees, He knows, He understands, and He has every power, every wisdom, and everything needed to handle the situation.
When you feel scared, call on God with faith and trust, and he will not fail you. Sing: Who can battle with the Lord? Who can fight with the Lord…., who can battle with the lord…., I say nobody. I say nobody, I say no-body.
2. Develop Joseph’s Faith: Let Your Actions Speak Louder than Words
Although Joseph had already decided to quietly dissolve the proposed marriage to Mary, he found the faith to obey the Angel’s voice, taking it as a message from God. By obeying the Angel, Joseph demonstrated his belief in the possibility of God taking human flesh in the womb. Joseph believed that this child was God among men, and he never suspected Mary of any wrongdoing.
As Abraham’s faith was demonstrated in action, Joseph, through his obedience, showed great faith in God. We cannot claim to have faith when we refuse to obey God’s instructions. Trust goes with obedience. Joseph said nothing to the Angel, but his actions spoke louder than anything he might have said. Some of us are vocal in professing our faith but remain silent when it comes to obeying God’s commands.
Joseph, being a human being, must have had questions. After all, nothing like this has ever happened. You may have questions, but you only need to trust God and obey. God’s commandments may not appear to be the best option; however, you need only believe that God knows more than you because He has seen the future.
Just as Mary would say, “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me,” Joseph, by this action, also displayed the same humility as Mary by letting go of his personal plans to allow God’s will prevail. This is basically our calling as Christians, to let go and let God.
The role of Joseph in the life of Jesus proves that every child needs a father, one who is there to provide, protect and train. Fathers are just a blessed species. True fathers are very rare. Like Joseph, God calls us today to be Fathers (protectors and providers) for others, even if they are not our biological children.
3. God is a Promise Keeper, a Miracle Worker
The fact that Isaiah’s prophecy to Ahaz in today’s first reading was fulfilled in today’s Gospel passage teaches us that God is a promise-keeper. His Words are trustworthy. His promises are sure. As we say in pidgin: “person wei follow God no fit miss road.” You can never regret your decision to follow God’s instructions. God can never lie. If He has said it, He will do it.
God’s promises may take time, but they are sure to come to pass. The prophecy of the virgin conceiving did not happen in Ahaz’s lifetime, but it eventually came to pass at the fullness of time. Even Isaiah himself did not live to witness the physical manifestation of the prophecy, and I can only imagine how he must have felt when asked about it.
This teaches us another lesson: Some prophecies go beyond one’s life. The fact that you did not observe it during your lifetime does not mean it will not occur eventually. Do not think only in terms of your short span of existence on Earth; remember that you come from a generation of great men and women, and you will soon become an ancestor for millions of other generations. You can set your lineage apart today by living a good life and following God closely.
Beyond the prophecy’s essence, let us consider its significance. What does it mean for a virgin to conceive? That God can do the impossible. If a virgin can conceive, it means that a man without a strong army can defeat all his enemies who have more sophisticated weapons. Ahaz was alarmed because he relied on his army, yet Isaiah told him to rely on God, who is a specialist in the impossible. Ahaz did not meet Mary in person, but his victory over his enemies in battle made him a symbol of the Virgin who conceived.
Dear friends, the promise still stands; the prophecy continues to speak today. We serve a God who makes rivers rise in the desert; old and barren women conceive, and virgins are still becoming pregnant today. God has not resigned from the business of working miracles. Do not make the mistake of Ahaz, who thought he would be safe by aligning with a foreign power; your victory will not come from physical strength but from God’s protective power.
4. Who Shall Climb the Mountain of God? The Clean of Hands and Pure of Heart
In today’s Gospel passage, we read, “her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly.” I believe God chose Joseph specially to be His earthly father because of this. If you were privileged to pick your Father, would you like someone who lacks integrity? One who derives joy in seeing others suffer, even though they are innocent? Would you choose a person who rushes into a decision without weighing all the options? Would you entrust a child to the care of an irresponsible person?
Many Christians today miss the mark of what it means to be called by the name of Christ, yet we want to be blessed like Abraham. We desire abundant riches and prosperity, but we are not ready to practice Christian virtues. We seek God to appoint us as He appointed Joseph to a role of authority, but we lack Joseph’s integrity and character. What a contradiction!
In today’s responsorial psalm, we heard the following:
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The clean of hands and pure of heart,
whose soul is not set on vain things.
Blessings from the Lord shall he receive,
And the proper reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the people who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
No matter how challenging your life may be today, make sure your hands are clean and your heart is pure. Seek righteousness above earthly prosperity, and God, who knows what you need, will not let you suffer. As God found favour with Joseph, may God find favour with you. May you become a bearer of the baby Jesus this Christmas.
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (4th Sunday of Advent. Liturgical Colour: Purple. Bible Study: Isaiah 7:10-14, Ps. 24:1-6, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu