Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent

December 23, 2016

Today’s Thought — Seventh Antiphon: “Emmanuel”

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

Wealth has a way of building barriers between people, as those with more insulate themselves from the needs of those with less, even blaming the poor for their plight. And yet, today we worship the King of Kings who did not distance himself from our wretchedness, but took it upon himself out of love: “Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14, DRB).

Emmanuel means “God with us.” How do you sense God is with you today?

O come, O come Emmanuel!

Open my heart to your self-giving love.

Forgive my selfish ways,

and help me to be a reflection of your love in the world.

St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!

To read the full readings for today, click here.

Advent Reflections Courtesy of:

Heidi is a wife and adoptive mother, contributing writer to WINE, and author of Advent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta and the follow-up companion, Lent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Servant, released January 2017). Heidi received a graduate degree in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit in 2012, having converted to the Catholic faith in 1995 from the evangelical tradition. She met her husband, Craig, at the University of Michigan Ballroom Dance Club, and lives with her family (including two special-needs teenagers, a longsuffering Aussie shepherd and a snuggly Chiweenie) near South Bend, Indiana.