A Reflection on Fourth Sunday in Advent and Nativity of the Lord

From Fr. Eric Asamoah

 

As we gather on this fourth Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves at the threshold of Christmas, reflecting on the profound mystery of Incarnation. The mood of the liturgy thus shifts from the intense calls to conversion to a focus on the events immediately surrounding the birth of Jesus. Hence, readings of today invite us to contemplate on the significance of God coming into our midst as Emmanuel, “God with us.”

Isaiah in the first reading prophesies to King Ahaz during a time of crisis around 739 and 686 B.C; “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” But King Ahaz will not trust in God’s providence.

Ahaz became king of Judah at 20 and had disrespected God by worshipping on mountains instead of in the temple. During his reign there was a lot of instability. The Assyrian Empire whose capital was Nineveh had advanced to new heights, causing the entire region west of Mesopotamia to fight or pay tribute. The kings of Syria and Israel joined forces to stop the advance of Assyria. When king of Judah, Ahaz would not join their alliance, those two kings sought ways to replace Ahaz, with an Aramean man named Tabeel.

Ahaz sought to rescue himself from this threat by appealing to Assyria’s King, even giving him portions of the temple treasury. So, Ahaz was in a lot of trouble. On the one hand two kingdoms are conspiring to unseat him, and on the other he has sold out to an enemy and used “Church” funds for the bribe. And at this troubled time the Lord is saying to Ahaz, ask me for a sign, I want to prove my faithfulness to you.

Ahaz is wanting to sound pious, so he says, “I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test”. Although we hear him quote the Scriptures, he was rather better at quoting scripture, than trying to live its demands. God who is all faithful responds saying, I will give a sign; “Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name “Emmanuel,” which means ‘God is with us.’ Then immediately St. Matthew cites this angel’s instruction to St Joseph in today’s Gospel as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

The angel tells Joseph to name the son, Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. The Hebrew name “Jesus,” (actually “Yeshua”) means “God saves”. So, Jesus, who will save us from our sins, is connected to the promise that God is with us. Because the child Jesus was God Himself. We need this God among us as the sign of His love and salvation for us.

It is interesting that Jesus was born in a city that was called the “House of bread” (Bethlehem) and Mary laid Jesus in a manger, which is not just a stable, but rather a trough where animals would eat. We come for Christmas mass not only to pay homage to God in the flesh of Jesus Christ but also to eat His body and blood which nourishes our souls. And this food is called among us Eucharistia, (the Eucharist). It is this bread of the Eucharist that gives us the power to become children of God, Jn 1:10, Jn 6: 54.

Christmas means God’s presence made real in Christ. At every Christmas, this presence is celebrated as ‘Emmanuel’ – God is with us by the Church. We must always remember that God is faithful, God remains Emmanuel, “God with us” and, I would say, God is with-in us.

This reminds us that God does not abandon us in our struggles; rather, He enters our lives, sharing in our joy and sorrows. Yes, ‘The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light… For a child has been born for us and a son is given’, Is 9: 1 – 7.

May we take advantage of this year’s Christmas as a moment of reconciliation with God and neighbor, exchange of gifts and visits, making new friends and reconnecting with old ones and generally spreading the light of Christ. May all have a merry and blessed Christmas season!