Friday of the Fourth week of Advent
O Emmanuel
REFLECT
Emmanuel means “God with us.” We know the word well from the popular Advent hymn that includes the name in the title. But despite how often we’ve heard it sung, like many things that are familiar, perhaps we overlook how striking it is. We Christians dare to think that God is with us. God has come to dwell among us. This is radical thinking! God is not far from us, somewhere out there. The Christmas mystery is the celebration of the coming of Christ, of a God who was once far and is now very near.
PRAY
Heavenly Father, you sent your only Son to be like us in all things but sin. May our eyes be enlightened to see in your beloved Son the mystery of your love. Amen.
LIVE
Listen to or sing the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” again today. Look for meaning in the familiar words that you haven’t noticed before.