As we reach the final week of Advent, we stand on the threshold of Christmas with hearts full of anticipation and gratitude. This week’s readings invite us to reflect on the faithfulness of God’s promises fulfilled across generations.
The Newman University community contemplates how the Good News has been passed down through centuries. In these final days before we celebrate the birth of Christ, we are reminded that God is truly with us, breaking into human history to bring salvation to all.
For all of the 2025 Advent reflections visit https://newmanu.edu/advent.
Sunday, December 21 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24
Marcia Kruse ASC
Living in Rome, I feel St. Paul’s letter to the Romans really hit home. The early church began miles away, but Paul and Peter and others felt it important to go to Rome to preach the Good News. They died here, but this Good News changed the city into a bastion of faith, built on their sacrifice. Then brave souls went out to bring that faith to the rest of Europe, then to distant continents, battling fatigue, sickness, inclement climate, hostility, persecution and death to bring us that Good News. The report of Jesus’ genealogy tells us he really did live on this earth. Do we need another sign? We sing with gratitude to our ancestors in the faith and strive to pass on the Good News of Great Joy to future generations.
Monday, December 22
1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56
Mason Lubbers, Seminarian Student
In Samuel chapter one we hear the story of an answered prayer and a grateful response. Similarly, in the Gospel reading we hear Mary’s prayer of praise and gratitude for the gift of conceiving Jesus. Both Hannah and Mary teach us what it means to be good stewards of the gifts we are given. They each received the gift of a son in gratitude, and they were each willing to give this gift back to the Lord. They remind us that we receive gifts so that we can give them back to God, who is with us this Advent season.
Tuesday, December 23
1 Samuel:24 – 28, Luke 1:46-56
Jasmine Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Admissions
Both passages highlight a faithful response to God’s blessings. Hannah presents Samuel to the Lord in gratitude, recognizing her child as a gift from God. Mary praises God in the Magnificat, celebrating His mercy, faithfulness, and the fulfillment of His promises. Both Scriptures show women responding with humility, and devotion offering themselves and their children to God’s will. God will always provide; keep your faith in Him. He knows your battles, sees your struggles, and most of all, God hears your prayers.
Wednesday, December 24
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-11, 16; Luke 1:67-79
Glenna Borho, Board of Trustee Member
Feeling exhausted from having been at war, King David wants to give thanks to God by building a temple thanking Him for the promise of protection from David’s enemies. In a dream, God tells Nathan to instruct David that he is not to build the temple, but David’s son Solomon will be chosen by God to perpetuate the lineage of God’s chosen people. God is always with us.
God’s promise of sustainability of the covenant people is not only being freed from dominance by others, but also that we can worship and serve God freely and without fear. These two readings express what the Old Testament foretold about God our Savior and the Proclamation of the Fulfillment in the New Testament.
Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18
Kenyon Spears, Director of Athletics
The readings tell us that Jesus was with God from the beginning and, appointed as having all power in his hands, He participated in making the universe. God is speaking to us through his Son Jesus who made “purification for sins” and is now able to sit at the right hand of God in Heaven. Those who cleanse their lives, proclaim salvation and have faith will become children of this God.
God sent John the Baptist to testify as a witness of the Light. We believers are witnesses to the Light that needs to be shared in the world. Everyone who receives Jesus and believes in the Light, becomes a child of God, invited to be prepared when “God will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.”
Come, let us adore!
