Fourth Sunday of Advent [A]

 


FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT [A]


Paul makes a double reference in Romans chapter one: he portrays Christ as the Son of God and also as the Son of David (1:3-4). In terms of lineage, we connect Christ to David through the family tree of Joseph—the same Joseph featured in Matthew chapter one. It could be said that we are promoting the human side of Jesus when we call him the Son of David. At the same time, we acknowledge his divinity when we pronounce him as the Son of God. The point being made by St. Paul is that the human side is the side that could be most easily overlooked. 


We have been singing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” throughout the season of Advent. As we hear it being explained in Matthew, the name Emmanuel means “God with us” (1:23). How does the Lord take his place among us? It happens by way of David’s line. Through that lineage, the prophecy outlined in Isaiah chapter seven reaches a state of fulfillment. The Virgin produces a Son, known to us as Emmanuel (Is. 7:14). He’s not just “coming;” he’s actually here. He’s arrived. And this is how we mark our transition from an Advent theme to a Christmas theme. 


Furthermore, we need to appreciate the fact that this is the Lord’s initiative. He wants to be Emmanuel for us. He wants to be “with us”, not somewhere off in the distance. Think for a moment about that early hit song by the Beatles: I Want To Hold Your Hand (1963). Note especially the following lyric: “Please, say to me, you’ll let me hold your hand!”  It could almost be described as a form of pleading. Does it parallel the tone we associate with the season of Advent? 


The Beatles song represents a prospect. Do they hold hands in the end? We don’t know. It’s a prospect and it will remain a prospect. Advent can likewise be characterized as a prospect. We understand this much: the Lord wants to reach out; the world of divinity wants to hold hands with the world of humanity. Thankfully, the season of Advent is always followed by the season of Christmas. This is where the prospect becomes something more than a prospect. Now the one world begins to hold hands with the other world. It’s a cause for celebration. 


Does it rank as a personal celebration? That depends. As a worldwide community, we do enter into a spirit of celebration. But what about that intimate level? He’s Emmanuel for the world; can he be regarded as Emmanuel for you, at the personal level? Maybe he’s just a name on a page. Maybe he’s just a ceramic figure. If so, then the prospect continues to be merely a prospect. It’s that Beatles song, all over again. The want is there. One side has declared a definite want. But the other side has not responded. Perhaps this year, you will go the extra mile. It’s time for the Lord to become Emmanuel—for you. 


Advent is all about a desire on the part of our Lord: he wants to hold your hand. When his hand takes hold of your hand, then it’s truly Christmas. That’s what Christmas is all about: you allowing the Lord to take hold of your hand. He gets to be Emmanuel, not just for the wider world, but for you individually. We opened with a double reference from St. Paul: Jesus as Son of God and also as Son of David. We’ll close with the most critical double reference of all: Jesus as Emmanuel for the world, and also as Emmanuel…for you.  

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