December 17, 2025

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

If I could pick anyone that I could spend a day with at this Advent time, I would choose Isaiah, that Old Testament prophet. He is such a joyful person; his writings are full of hope. Each Advent, even now, he fills us with the Holy Spirit and continues to bring us closer to Jesus as we prepare for another Christmas. During Advent, at each Mass, Isaiah’s writings are used as the first reading. His message is the same – prepare yourself, fill your world with peace.

On the Second Sunday of Advent, the first reading was from the 11th Chapter of Isaiah. This chapter begins by telling us that our Lord comes to us filled with the Spirit of God to give us that Spirit. “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord.” God continues to bless us with these gifts when we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation to make our lives what they should be and to make our world a better place.

In this same reading, Isaiah challenges us to make our Advent a time of peace and love. Isaiah presents a curious image – the wild animals and the domestic animals will coexist in peace. “The wolf shall be the guest of the lamb.” The strong will no longer prey on the weak. The Lord will come as the champion of the poor and restore peace. He will guide us and walk with us.

On the Third Sunday of Advent, Isaiah urges us to be joyful and reminds us God will bless us all. As an image here, Isaiah sees this barren land of Israel will bloom with abundant flowers celebrating the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. This reading from Isaiah 35 is described as a time of healing, a joyful blessing. “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf will be cleared, then will the lame leap like the stag.” Isaiah urges us to find healing of all that keeps us from our God. This will be a time of mercy and compassion.

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the reading is from Isaiah 7. Isaiah tells all who will listen – even now – that this a Messianic time, a time to rejoice, a time to spread happiness. They will call this Messiah, Emmanuel – God is with us. May the Lord bring all now a time of peace and love. Our Savior is always with us.

Each Advent, Isaiah comes to walk with us, to lead us and guide us, making us open and prepared to receive the Lord in a new and special way. In this way, Advent will be a time of personal transformation. We all will become united with the Lord in love and peace, united with each other joyfully. Each Advent, we pray for peace; we are challenged to pray to do all we can to bring Jesus to all that we meet. Isaiah and his writings bring such wisdom and joy to us all. Let Isaiah be with you during this time of Advent.