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.

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

(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 ...

“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 ...

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 ...

"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, ...

There is more to the Advent calendar we see in shops. Why not embrace meaningful traditions, light candles weekly, reflect on ...

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 ...

Laura Kelly Fanucci is an author, speaker, and retreat facilitator. She earned her BA from the University of Notre Dame and her Master of Divinity from Saint John's School of Theology in Collegeville, ...

Although Advent calendars have become hot-ticket items, they still reflect their ancient Christian meaning, writes Matthew Robert Anderson.