4th Sunday of Advent
21st December 2025
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-2,3-4,5-6; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24
Theme: Emmanuel – God is with us
There has often been a misuse and caricature of the words “God is with us”. Prussian military and later German soldiers in World War II had them engraved in their belt buckles. And this is just one example of so much pain and suffering caused by people being convinced that God was on their side. What kind of God is that who wants the killing, murdering and destruction of his own creation? Rather than God, this is probably just a twisted human projection. A God made after man’s own distorted image. A God, angry and vengeful just like his creatures? Too many horrific examples like this we have witnessed and still see in history.
On the other hand, when we think about this, what a comforting thought this could be. “God being with us” – what about a loving God, a God full of kindness to everyone? A God full of forgiveness and graciousness, eager to give everybody a second and a third chance? We surely would be influenced for the better by such a God being with us?
Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew’s narrative of the nativity. One of the most conspicuous traits of Matthew’s gospel is his intention to describe Jesus’ life and work as the fulfillment of Scripture. Thus, he is constantly quoting the Old Testament to show how prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus.
The quotation from Isaiah 7:14, speaking about a virgin giving birth to a son is given right after Matthew speaks about Mary having conceived her child from the Holy Spirit, thus connecting the two events. There has been much discussion on the first part of this verse in Isaiah, causing the second half to be overlooked often so it seems. So let us take a closer look – Matthew, quoting Isaiah writes “they shall name him Emmanuel” and he continues explaining the meaning of this name in his narrative: “which means ‘God is with us’” (conf. Matth. 1:23b). The Jewish Annotated New Testament notes, that the expression “God with us (lit. Emmanuel)” frames the Gospel (see JANT, p.5). Matthew uses this term in the birth narrative and then again at the end in Matt. 28:20, when the resurrected Jesus sends his disciples into all the world, promising his continuing presence. Actually, we find this expression also in the middle of this Evangelist’s gospel, when Jesus promises his presence to those gathered in his name (see Matt. 18:20).
Thus, God is present in Jesus right from his birth, but this presence widens and expands during his lifetime. Wherever Jesus walks, wherever people gather and pray in his name not only is Jesus present but through him God himself. And finally, after his resurrection, there is no limitation to Emmanuel, but wherever somebody having Jesus in her/his heart goes, God himself is with them. Speaking with the words of David Neuhaus SJ, Jesus’ second name “Emmanuel” signifies nothing less than “an ongoing presence of God in the person of God’s Son, Jesus.” (see Neuhaus, p. 72).
For Reflection and Discussion
1. Meditate on the name “Emmanuel”
2. Encourage somebody who feels lost these days by being present, thus taking God’s presence to them.
Bibliography: Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler (editors): The Jewish Annotated New Testament, Oxford University Press, 2011. David M. Neuhaus, SJ, with Terence Creamer and Debbie French: A Child Born for us. The Infancy Gospel, Paulist Press New York, 2025.
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Barbara Kauffmann, Germany, Bat Kol Alumna 2010, 2011, 2012
[Copyright © 2025]
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