Advent begins the church year with our happiest season. Hope is alive, anticipation is keen, and the world around us puts on a festival of lights, music, and storytelling.

Righteousness or self-righteousness? That is the question! Lots of us  are tempted to believe in our own moral goodness more than the promises of God.

Joseph had a problem, and it wasn’t a small one: The girl about to become his wife was pregnant. He wasn’t the father, so the law was clear: Honor could be restored to both households by stoning.

It had been a very bad, no-good week. I lost out to another candidate on a job promotion and was blindsided by an unexpected romantic breakup.

When my older brother was in the fifth grade, he came home from school proudly clutching an Advent calendar he had won in a contest.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries of God with us.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me.

Browse our library for additional Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle A material.