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 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Emmanuel: God is always with us in times of threat and uncertainty

Readings: Is 7:10–14; Rm 1:1–7; Mt 1:18–24

Dear friends in Christ, we are gradually approaching the end of the season of Advent. The readings of this fourth week will shift our attention from the intense call to repentance and penance to the scene of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem; they focus on the events surrounding the historic birth of our Messiah.

As we prepare ourselves for the joyful celebration of that historic birth which changed the course of our world, the Church does not lose sight of the challenges we face every day. Thus, on this fourth Sunday, the Church reminds us that the Messiah whose birth we are about to celebrate is always with us in all difficulties and confusions; that His name is Emmanuel—God with us—and that His mission is to save those who trust in Him from all that threatens their existence. This awareness of who our Emmanuel is becomes necessary because many people tend to forget the power of this Saviour whenever they are surrounded by problems. Many look elsewhere for solutions when they feel threatened, forgetting that our Saviour, Emmanuel, is capable of rescuing us from every trouble and directing us on the right path. The first reading and today’s Gospel offer clear lessons on relying on God in times of threat and confusion.

In the first reading from the prophet Isaiah, the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and of Syria were planning an attack against the King of Assyria, who had taken control of their territories. They asked Ahaz, the king of Judah—the Southern Kingdom of Israel—to join them, but he refused. In response, they threatened to invade Judah and overthrow Ahaz. While Ahaz was anxiously considering how to save his kingdom from the imminent attack, the prophet Isaiah approached him and urged him to trust in the power of God, whose Holy Temple was in Judah, assuring him that God would protect Judah from all enemies.

But King Ahaz could not trust God’s promise of protection. Instead, he preferred to form an alliance with the king of Assyria to defend himself against Israel and Syria. Confident in God’s protection, Isaiah told Ahaz to have faith and not ally himself with Assyria. In the midst of Ahaz’s doubt, Isaiah invited him to ask God for a sign—a sign that would convince him of God’s protection over Judah. But out of fear and stubbornness, Ahaz refused. He was determined to follow his own plans, seeking an alliance with Assyria and its pagan gods. Then Isaiah announced a sign from God: a virgin would conceive and bear a son, whose name would be Emmanuel—God with us—a sign meant to assure Judah that God was truly with them and would not abandon them to their enemies. Despite this, Ahaz went ahead with his alliance with Assyria, worshipped its pagan god, and even sacrificed his son.

Through this biblical story, the Church reminds us of the character and power of the One whose birth we are about to celebrate. His name is Emmanuel, the God who does not abandon His people in times of difficulty and threat. In our problems, sicknesses, disappointments, and pains, He is always with us to strengthen and rescue us, because His name is Emmanuel—God with us.

In today’s Gospel, we encounter Joseph, whose plan to settle into marriage with Mary was shaken by great confusion when he discovered that she was already pregnant. As Joseph pondered how to handle this difficult situation, an angel of God appeared to him in a dream and instructed him on what to do. Joseph trusted God and obeyed His directives.

When we place Ahaz and Joseph side by side, the contrast is striking. While Ahaz doubted God’s power and refused to obey Him in his difficult situation, Joseph trusted God amid his confusion and obeyed His instructions. While Ahaz sacrificed his son to a pagan god to secure an alliance, Joseph protected his wife and the Child—Emmanuel—from all human threats.

We are therefore called to have confidence in God, especially in the most difficult moments of our lives. The name of our God is Emmanuel—He will always be with us. Though we may face financial problems, job insecurity, family struggles, or health concerns, let us trust God like Joseph. Instead of relying on our own schemes, which often lead to greater problems—as happened to Ahaz—let us open ourselves to God’s will, trusting Him and following His directives. Let us be strengthened by speaking to God in fervent prayer and by listening to Him through the Scriptures.

Today, Matthew tells us that the ancient prophecy of Isaiah—of a God who would always be with us—was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. Therefore, dear friends, we are about to celebrate the birth of a God who is both transcendent and immanent, a God who is high above us yet always with us, a God who will not abandon us in our needs, confusions, threats, or discomforts, because His name is Emmanuel—the God who is always with us.

Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima