Deacon Greg Kandra provides a reflection for the readings and Gospel for the 4th Sunday of Advent, Dec. 21, 2025.

We, like Joseph, are invited to empty ourselves, choosing to abandon anything that can get in the way of our union with God or our collaboration with God's design for creation.

(RNS) — The Scripture readings during Advent are a mix of comfort and challenge. On the one hand, the readings from Deutero-Isaiah (Isaiah 40-56) offer us comfort. The author was speaking to Jewish ...

SAN FRANCISCO — “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ,” said St. Jerome. If that’s true, then lots of Catholics are getting to know Christ very well indeed. In the past year, nearly ...

“How do we really enter into a season like Advent when the world around us is already celebrating Christmas?” This is the question host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., sets before his guests, Scripture ...

Advent is linked to the Advent wreath, made from a circle of evergreen leaves used to represent eternal life. There are also four candles, one for each of the Sundays ’til Christmas. Some add a fifth ...

"To you, O Lord, I lift my soul." On this First Sunday of Advent, Catholics throughout the world are invited to sing this same psalm refrain. Do we mean it? As we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation, ...

For many people who observe Christian traditions, Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year and serves as a period of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus ...

There is more to the Advent calendar we see in shops. Why not embrace meaningful traditions, light candles weekly, reflect on scripture, offer prayers, and perform small acts of kindness to honour the ...

You know when a book finds you? That is exactly what happened to me this Advent when Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ beautiful spiritual Advent ...