Prayer of the Faithful For 21st December 2025 Introduction Today, on this Fourth and final Sunday of Advent, we stand on the holy threshold of Christmas. The liturgy reveals the profound mystery of Emmanuel-God with us-through the quiet obedience of Saint Joseph and Our Lady's fiat. In a world often marked by uncertainty, we are invited to imitate their trust, surrendering our fears to God's greater design. As we gather, let us open our hearts in humility and faith, preparing a dwelling place for the Word made flesh. Prayer of the faithful Celebrant : Filled with expectation, and following the example of Mary's fiat and Joseph's trust, we now place our needs before God, who desires to dwell with us. Response : Lord hear our prayer. For the Church: that, like Mary and Joseph, she may be a faithful witness and a humble instrument of God's presence in the world, we pray to the Lord. For all peoples and their leaders: that, guided by wisdom and humility, they may work for justice, protect human dignity, and make room in our world for the peace of Christ, we pray to the Lord. For the poor, the suffering, and the anxious: that in this season, the God who comes as a helpless infant may manifest His saving comfort and strengthen them through our compassionate love, we pray to the Lord. For the coming Christmas season: that our parish celebrations may unfold in peace, and that all our loved ones, both near and far, may be kept safe in God's protective care, we pray to the Lord. (Let us now pray silently for our own personal intentions and for the needs of our community…… we pray to the Lord.) Celebrant : Gracious Father, you chose to dwell among us as Emmanuel. Through the prayers we have offered, strengthen our faith and prepare our hearts to receive your Son with the obedient love of Mary and Joseph. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.