Monsignor Enrique Díaz Díaz shares with Exaudi readers his reflection on the Gospel of this Sunday, December 21, 2025, entitled:  “The Lord, the King of Glory, is coming.”

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Isaiah 7:10-14:  “The Lord himself will give you a sign”

Psalm 23:  “The Lord is coming, the King of glory”

Romans 1:1-7:  “Jesus Christ, our Lord, the Son of God, was descended from David”

Matthew 1:18-24: “Jesus was born of Mary, betrothed to Joseph, son of David”

We are now just a few hours away from the birth of Jesus, and we can turn to Joseph and Mary and listen to their anxieties and hopes: What will the child be like? Who will he resemble? What will become of him? Today’s readings help us to understand the face of this child, not physically, but in his true personality. Stories and promises from ancient times, the names announced for the one about to be born, the lineage from which he comes, what is expected of him—all these offer us not only a face but also a personality and a mission for the awaited Messiah. The narratives of Jesus’ childhood, unlike the other parts of the Gospel, are crafted with more theological intent than historical focus. They are accounts composed long after Jesus’ death, and in them are interwoven both the hopes of Israel and the faith that his resurrection has awakened in his followers. This is not a story, but a look of faith at the life of Jesus, and the first thing that stands out is precisely the faith of a righteous man who, recognizing this child, born of the Spirit, makes him part of his paternal lineage, connecting him with all the messianic promises and traditions of the Old Testament. And this is the first characteristic of this child: he becomes part of the history of a people with all its vicissitudes and heroic deeds; he is rooted in the tradition of a people and comes to fulfill their longings and dreams. Jesus is part of this history, and he is also part of our history. How do we embrace our history as interpreted by Jesus? What is our responsibility in this history?

In Semitic culture, a name signifies the reality of a person, and never is a name more closely linked to mission than in Christ Jesus. “God saves,” “God is salvation,” is the meaning of “Jesus.” And this is what this child comes to offer us: true, complete, and integral salvation for all people. Salvation is a gift offered by God, but it requires human acceptance and commitment. Ahaz, in the first reading, seeks God’s salvation when he feels threatened by neighboring nations, but he is unwilling to take the risks of faith and instead seeks protection from earthly kings. Therefore, feigning humility, he refuses to ask for a sign. The prophet Isaiah offers him a sign that would seem contradictory in the face of the powerful armies surrounding Israel: “a young woman will conceive and give birth to a son.” Yes, the Lord offers complete salvation, but He demands a faith that manifests itself in absolute trust and is expressed in concrete actions. Joseph is a testament to the trustworthiness of God, while Ahaz is a counter-testimony, appearing to have faith but seeking his own security. Joseph is shaken by events, highlighting his character forged in faith and humility. He offers few explanations, often in mysterious dreams, and makes profound commitments upon accepting to be the father of God. And yet, though initially appearing just as abandoning Mary, he later, in respectful silence, sustained responsibility, and humble obedience, fulfills the marvelous and difficult mission entrusted to him. Faith, justice, silence to listen to the Lord, and discernment to discover the message are qualities that Joseph offers us at first glance. This is the lesson he offers us for awaiting the Messiah. This child who brings us salvation asks the first thing of us: faith—a committed faith, a sure faith—that allows us to hear his word and keep his commandments.

“Emmanuel,” God with us. If we consider the meaning of the names, we find no contradiction, as if two names were being imposed upon the Messiah: God saves, and the concrete way in which he saves us is by making himself present in our midst, being with us, sharing our life, our history, and our longings. The Gospel of Matthew opens with the proclamation that Jesus belongs to our lineage, to our history, that he is Emmanuel; and it closes with the message and promise of Jesus himself, who says to his disciples: “Know that I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” He continues to be, today, God with us. He is not only present in the community, but he is its savior, its foundation and support. God is near. This is the fundamental message of today’s passage and of the entire Gospel. The God whom we judged as distant and inaccessible becomes human, concrete, smiling and crying, and his closeness envelops us all. Taking on the very flesh of Mary, he shares in the story of all humanity, giving it direction and meaning. Christmas is approaching, and we too draw near with love and respect to this Emmanuel who becomes tangible, opening our hearts so that he may find a place to be present. We allow ourselves to be filled with his love, nourished by his hope, and committed to his mission.

We, too, will have to work hard and delicately to shape the face of Jesus. It’s not about molding pieces of wood; it’s about making him live within ourselves, in our community, in our time. Let us strive to make our solidarity with this child who comes to share his life with us a reality: we must pray and experience that God is with us, that he gives himself to us and shares himself, that he remains with us forever. Let us awaken to a faith that, like Joseph, opens us to God’s plans, let us learn not to create obstacles and to embrace God’s will within ourselves. May we be material that allows itself to be molded by the Spirit to become a dwelling place for Emmanuel. What does God’s presence with us mean in this world of violence and meaninglessness? What does it commit us to? How can we discover his face?

Pour out, O Lord, your grace upon us, that we may discover the true face of Jesus; help us to mature in a committed faith and to make real in our world the presence of your Son, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.