The gospel reading from Matthew includes the story of Joseph who is desperately searching for a sign to show him what to do about Mary, to whom he is betrothed, and who is with child. He knows the child is not his but he does not know what to do about it. God sends him a message, a sign, and the evangelist reminds us that this fulfills what was promised in the writings of Isaiah: “The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel” (Mt 1:23)
Emmanuel means God-with-us. The mystery of the Incarnation is that God became human to be God-with us. This promise, this sign carries a responsibility as well. Oscar Romero once wrote, “We need to be Emmanuel, God with us for those in need of compassion.” As a Holy Child educator I am challenged to live out the mission, “to help others to believe that God lives and acts in them and in our world, and to rejoice in the divine presence.” This is what God asks of all of us: to be aware of God-with-us and to help others experience it too.
Let us not think about Emmanuel only during Advent or as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. Incarnation, God with us, is for every day and every season.
Prayer
O God, give us eyes to see you as God-with-us in our lives and in our world. Give us hearts to be God-with-us in our world. Amen.
Kathleen Lynch Chair of Theology Department and Campus Ministry Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, Summit, NJ (since 1989)
Member of Cornelia Connelly Curriculum Committee for the Holy Child Network of Schools
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