Daily Readings - Fri Dec 18 2020
Jeremiah
5"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.6In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'7"Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they shall no longer say, 'As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,'8but 'As the LORD lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.' Then they shall dwell in their own land."
Matthew
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.20But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:23"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel"(which means, God with us).24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, justice, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a prophetic vision of a future king from the line of David who will reign with wisdom, justice, and righteousness. This king, known as “The Lord, our Just One,” will bring salvation and restore Israel to live in peace and confidence. Jeremiah’s prophecy is set against the backdrop of a people in exile, longing for redemption and the renewal of their covenant with God. The prophet assures them that God’s plan for their salvation is already in motion, and this king will be the instrument of their deliverance.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the quiet, faith-filled response of Joseph, a man described as “just.” When faced with Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, Joseph is torn between his commitment to her and the societal expectations of his time. But in a moment of divine intervention, an angel assures him that this child is the work of the Holy Spirit and that he is to be named Jesus, the one who will save his people from their sins. Matthew emphasizes that this event fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, where a virgin shall conceive and give birth to Emmanuel, “God is with us.” Through Joseph’s obedience and trust, we see the fulfillment of God’s promise to be with his people, not just in the distant future, but in the present moment.
These readings remind us that God’s plan for our salvation is always unfolding, even in the most unexpected ways. Like Jeremiah’s prophecy, we are called to trust in God’s justice and his promise to bring light out of darkness. Like Joseph, we are invited to surrender our fears and doubts to God’s will, trusting that he is always with us. In our daily lives, we can apply this by seeking to live with integrity, trusting in God’s plan even when it seems unclear, and being open to the ways God may be working in unexpected ways. May we, like Joseph, respond with faith and obedience, allowing God to be Emmanuel, “God with us,” in every moment of our lives.