Pastor’s Corner 21.12.2025
As we approach the final days of Advent, the Church gently leads us into the heart of the mystery we are about to celebrate: God choosing to dwell among us. This is not a story of power displayed in grandeur, but of divine love revealed in humility, silence, and trust.
At the center of this mystery is Emmanuel—God-with-us. Saint Augustine captures its wonder when he writes, “He who created time entered time; He who made the world was made in it.” Advent reminds us that God does not remain distant from human struggle or uncertainty. He steps into our history, into our fragile lives, offering His presence as our greatest gift.
This season also highlights the beauty of obedient faith. God’s plan unfolds through those willing to listen and respond, even when the path is unclear. Saint Irenaeus teaches us, “By obedience, the knot of disobedience was untied.” Faith, then, is not simply believing in God, but trusting Him enough to let His will shape our decisions and direction.
The quiet strength of Saint Joseph stands as a powerful model for our own discipleship. He does not speak a single word in Scripture, yet his actions speak volumes. Pope Francis describes him as “a father who teaches us that faith in God includes believing that He can work even through our fears, our frailties, and our weakness.” In a world that often prizes control and certainty, Joseph reminds us that holiness is found in faithful surrender.
As Christmas draws near, the Church invites us to create space within—space for listening, for trust, and for God’s unexpected ways. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “To become a child in relation to God is the condition for entering the Kingdom” (CCC 526). Advent calls us back to this childlike openness, where God can truly be born anew in our hearts.
May these final days of preparation help us welcome Christ not merely as a memory of the past, but as a living presence among us today. Let us ask for the grace to recognize Emmanuel in the ordinary moments of our lives, and to carry His light into our homes, our parish, and our world.
