The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be aware of events that present an opportunity to be a sign of our faith, hope, and love for others.
The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims the Sign of Emmanuel.
* [7:11] Deep…sky: an extraordinary or miraculous sign that would prove God’s firm will to save the royal house of David from its oppressors.
* [7:12] Tempt the LORD: Ahaz prefers to depend upon the might of Assyria rather than the might of God.
* [7:14] Isaiah’s sign seeks to reassure Ahaz that he need not fear the invading armies of Syria and Israel in the light of God’s promise to David (2 Sm 7:12–16). The oracle follows a traditional announcement formula by which the birth and sometimes naming of a child is promised to particular individuals (Gn 16:11; Jgs 13:3). The young woman: Hebrew ‘almah designates a young woman of marriageable age without specific reference to virginity. The Septuagint translated the Hebrew term as parthenos, which normally does mean virgin, and this translation underlies Mt 1:23. Emmanuel: the name means “with us is God.” Since for the Christian the incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s willingness to “be with us,” it is understandable that this text was interpreted to refer to the birth of Christ. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 24 accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God followed by the people, into the Temple.
* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke proclaims the Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.
* [1:26–38] The announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus is parallel to the announcement to Zechariah of the birth of John. In both the angel Gabriel appears to the parent who is troubled by the vision (Lk 1:11–12, 26–29) and then told by the angel not to fear (Lk 1:13, 30). After the announcement is made (Lk 1:14–17, 31–33) the parent objects (Lk 1:18, 34) and a sign is given to confirm the announcement (Lk 1:20, 36). The particular focus of the announcement of the birth of Jesus is on his identity as Son of David (Lk 1:32–33) and Son of God (Lk 1:32, 35). (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Edward Morse comments that Mary has much to teach us, and we have much to learn from her example during this Advent journey.
In this life of faith, angels appear rarely. More often, God chooses signs of a quieter variety, which often leave us with something to ponder, to live with, and to work out in the course of time. Signs are often wrapped in love, beginning with our mothers and fathers and then followed by many others. These signs are presented all around us if we are open to them, quietly witnessing to us that God is there and He has not forgotten us.
St. John of the Cross, who lived and worked with St. Teresa of Avila in the 1500s, once said: “Where there is no love, pour love in, and you will draw love out.” In so doing, we may also become a sign to encourage others as we quietly do the Lord’s work while we wait for him to come again. Thanks be to God. (Morse, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus is Son of God and Son of Mary,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.
"We should carefully note the order of the words here, and the more firmly they are engrafted in our heart, the more evident it will be that the sum total of our redemption consists in them. For they proclaim with perfect clarity that the Lord Jesus, that is, our Savior, was both the true Son of God the Father and the true Son of a mother who was a human being. 'Behold,' he says, 'you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son' - acknowledge that this true human being assumed the true substance of flesh from the flesh of the Virgin! 'He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High' - confess too that this same Son is true God of true God, co-eternal Son forever of the eternal Father!" (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.3.22) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:26-38 comments that we all would like to have the same radical trust in God’s promises that Mary showed. But let’s face it: in our weakness we can think or act as if some situations are impossible for God to resolve. Our limited understanding—or our fears and anxieties—get in the way of this radical trust. We know that God’s promises are trustworthy. We know that he never changes his mind or deceives us. We even agree with Jesus when he said, “For God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Still, we falter.
Today, try to imitate Mary’s radical trust. Even though you don’t understand it all, reaffirm your confidence in the Lord and his plan for your life. And fix your eyes on Jesus, the promised One who can do what is impossible—in your life and in the world.
“Yes, Lord, I believe that you can do the impossible and fulfill your promises to me. How could you do otherwise?” (Meditation on Luke 1:26-38, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Isaiah is speaking to Ahaz and tells him to ask a sign from the Lord to underline the possibility of being a vassal state of Assyria He does not want a sign and God will give a sign Emanuel, “God is with us” as the “alma” or maiden will give birth. When the sign is translated into Greek they used “parthenos” a word that only means virgin that Matthew quotes in the Annunciation to Mary in Nazareth. In Luke, the Holy Family starts in Nazareth. In Matthew it seems they were living in Bethlehem. The angel Gabriel addresses Mary in the perfect tense so that the proclamation indicates she has always been blessed thus revealing her true Immaculate Conception. Jesus, "Yahweh saves”, is proclaimed as the Son of God. Hebrew understanding at the time was a hero of God. Mary asks " How this could be?” Zechariah never really believed in the power of prayer but for Mary this was a valid question. God is over the Ark of the Covenant, she becomes the new Ark of the Covenant. She responds as the Handmaid of the Lord, “Let it be done as you have said”. Friar Jude notes that her Immaculate Conception is shown in her ability to answer Gabriel in that way.
Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the powerful reality that the sacrament of Baptism makes us partakers of God's Divine nature, fundamentally changing us into beloved sons and daughters of God the Father. He also highlights how the second coming of Christ will come like a thief in the night, how Christians grieve with hope, and how we have to test the prophecies we hear from seers. Today's readings are 2 Peter 1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4-5, and Proverbs 30:17-19.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author and activist Lydia Wylie-Kellermann writes about our responsibility to share the gifts of awe and wonder with the next generation.
We need it. Awe and wonder hold our hearts and bodies in the present moment around us, keeping us from spiraling into whatever is yet to come. We can find it anywhere … in the streets, the woods, our neighborhoods, the shore of the ocean, or in a culvert under the road. It happens in the slowing down. It happens when we let ourselves loose. When we let go of control and are free to stumble upon joy.
Let us show these children in our lives that, amid all the horror, there is a life worth living that can take your breath away and leave you dancing.
Beloved friends,
go out and find a secret portal.
Walk the shoreline
and keep your eye out for magic.
Pull out that old telescope.
Tell wild stories.
Go outside and dance in the rain.
Do ridiculous things.
Be “that” adult who gets the eyeroll
and the side smile.
Laugh often. Slow down.
Feed the imagination.
Clear the space to be washed over
by this wild and wonderful world. (Rohr, 2025)
We seek the assistance of the Holy Spirit when we are prompted to surrender and consent “Let it be done to me according to Your Will”
References
Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 20, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/7?10
Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 20, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?26
Meditation on Luke 1:26-38. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 20, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/20/1448324/
Morse, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 20, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-20-2025
Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 20, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1
Rohr, R. (2025, December 19). Rightful and Radical Amazement — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 20, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/rightful-and-radical-amazement/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Hail, O Favored One, the Lord Is with You! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 20, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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