THE ADVENT OF “EMMANUEL: TRACING THE PROMISE FROM ISAIAH TO THE ANNUNCIATION. (Isaiah 7:10-14 and Luke 1:26-38).
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Today’s readings (Isaiah 7:10-14 and Luke 1:26-38) help depict mystery and beauty of the Nativity of the Lord . These passages reveal how God’s plan of salvation unfolds and how we should respond to His call at the approach of Christmas celebration. In the first reading (Isaiah 7:10-14), we see how the Lord offers King Ahaz a sign as a gesture of reassurance and guidance during a time of political turmoil and uncertainty in Israel. Although the Lord gives Ahaz a chance to trust Him by asking for a sign, Ahaz declines. His refusal may have been due to a lack of faith or a desire to rely on his own plans instead of God’s providence. However, the Lord still gives him a sign: “ The Virgin will conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel .”. This sign points to the ultimate act of God's intervention in human history, the incarnation of God as man. In the Gospel (Luke 1:26-38), we witness the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy as the angel Gabriel announces to Mary, a virg