Fourth Sunday of Advent Reflection 2025

Written on: December 21, 2025

By Sister Mary Elizabeth Looby, GNSH
Delivered as the introduction to the liturgy at Medical Mission Sisters Chapel on December 21, 2025
Printable version is here: Fourth Sunday of Advent 2025 Reflection

Lighting the fourth candle on the Advent wreath this morning, we honor God’s perfect LOVE revealed in Jesus. This candle of LOVE completes the other three that represent HOPE, PEACE and JOY.

A beautiful song came to me as I reflected on these readings — a song that Andrew Lloyd Weber and Michael Ball gave us.

“Love, Love changes everything
How you live and how you die
Love will turn your world around
And that world will last forever!”

I am sure that Ahaz, the House of David, Saul who became Paul, Mary and Joseph, our personal ancestors in faith, and each of us here can attest to how love:

can make us change direction;
help us to make a commitment;
pick ourselves up after a fall;
give us courage and strength to be faithful.

The House of David looked for signs and were yearning for an earthly King; the prophet Ahaz would not ask for a sign; Mary had an encounter with the Angel Gabriel; Joseph heard from a messenger in a dream. They all had their lives dramatically changed. Jesus came and altered expectations making love visible to a world aching for LOVE.

Over 50 plus, plus years ago today, on this shortest day and longest night, Sr. Julia and I made commitments to live the rest of our lives as a Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. We could never have envisioned all that would transpire through these years. A commitment to love became possible because LOVE entered our lives.

Husbands and wives make commitments, pledging love and faithfulness without knowing all the vicissitudes that follow. Commitment made in love becomes possible because LOVE enters their union.

Whatever commitment is part of your journey, if LOVE is the impetus of it, a way becomes clear as you take next steps into the future. Hold on to HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE and you will be in good stead.

The last stanza of song says it well:

“Love, makes fools of everyone
all the rules we make are broken
Yes, love, love changes everyone,
live or perish in its flame,
Love will never let you be the same!

What touched you today?

This entry was posted in Matters of Faith and tagged: Andrew Lloyd Weber, Angel Gabriel, Fourth Sunday of Advent 2025, God's perfect love, House of David, love, Mary, Sister Mary Elizabeth Looby