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Christmas Blessings from the Hilltop

The door of the Chapel of Our Lady, lit from within, is open to the night. To its left, two stained glass windows depicting saints are visible.

Dear Canterbury Community,

“The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”

This well-known verse from the prophet Isaiah captures the hope of the Christian season of Advent. It was first spoken in a time of division, fear, and instability—human experiences that echo across history and cultures, not unlike our own.

King Ahaz faced powerful enemies and the threat of invasion. Isaiah urged him to trust in God’s protection rather than in military alliances. However, Ahaz refused to ask for a sign, unwilling to rely on God. Still, God gave one: “The virgin shall conceive and bear a son.”

The child was to be a sign of God’s enduring faithfulness—a reminder that God is with us even in distress. Over time, this promise took on a deeper meaning. Within the Christian tradition, its ultimate fulfillment came in Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary: God-with-us in the flesh.

As we draw close to Christmas, Isaiah’s prophecy calls us to the same trust. Like Ahaz, we may be tempted to rely on our own strength or worldly ‘solutions.’ Yet God invites us to lean instead on divine presence, even in circumstances we cannot fully understand. In Jesus, our Emmanuel, Christians believe God comes quietly and humbly through Mary’s faith and the Spirit’s power.

Advent invites us to open our hearts in faith—and to make space for reflection and hope—a time to receive “Emmanuel, God-with-us,” here and now. We may not see this presence in grand displays, but in quiet assurances: in prayer, in community, and, for Christians, most profoundly in the Eucharist. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, we also welcome Him into the ordinary moments of our lives.

In this final week of Advent, let us make room—in our hearts, homes, and plans—for Emmanuel’s quiet coming. The same God Who entered the world through Mary’s “yes” still desires to be born anew in us. When we say “yes” to God’s will, we, too, become signs of the divine presence, living witnesses that God is truly with us.

From the hilltop, we wish you a joyous Christmastide and a grace-filled 2026!

Rev. Brendan Horan, S.J.
Chaplain