Today, December 17, Advent takes on a new and joyful intensity. With this day we begin the great “O Antiphons,” sung with the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. Drawing on rich images from the Old Testament, these antiphons express Israel’s deepest hopes and give voice to our own longing for the promised Messiah. Each day brings us closer to Christmas, and the Church’s prayer becomes more urgent and expectant.
The Gospel today presents the genealogy from Matthew. At first glance, a list of names may seem unremarkable, but it proclaims something profound: the Son of God truly entered human history. Jesus did not appear suddenly or apart from us; He was born into a family, a people, a story marked by faithfulness and failure alike. The Incarnation is the continuation of God’s enduring love—His decision to walk with His people, generation after generation. As Christmas draws near, we rejoice that God is faithful to His promises and astonishingly close to us.
Living in Love with God 
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