Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 25, 2025
First Reading: Isaiah 9.2-4, 6-7
2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.3You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.4For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Psalm 96
1Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!2Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!4For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.6Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!8Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!9Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!10Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy13before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Second Reading: Titus 2.11-14
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,13waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Gospel: Luke 2.1-16
1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.3And all went to be registered, each to his own town.4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.10And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
Sermon
The prophet Isaiah speaks of a profound transformation, a great light rising for those walking in darkness, announcing the birth of a child, the "Prince of Peace," whose eternal reign will be marked by justice and an unending peace. This ancient prophecy finds its fulfillment in the humble circumstances we recall from the Gospel of Luke. Caesar's decree sets the stage, leading Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, where, without room in the inn, the Savior is born in a manger. It is to simple shepherds, keeping watch in the night, that the glory of the Lord shines, and angels proclaim the good news: "a Savior has been born for you in the city of David: he is Christ the Lord." The long-awaited light has indeed dawned, not in a palace, but in the most unexpected of places, announced to the most humble.
This divine appearance, whether prophesied by Isaiah or narrated by Luke, is the manifestation of God's grace, as explained in the letter to Titus. This grace of God our Savior has appeared to all, not merely as a historical event to be remembered, but as an active instruction for our lives today. It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly desires, guiding us to live soberly, justly, and piously in this present age. The birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace, isn't just about celebrating His arrival; it's about allowing His grace to transform us from within, preparing us for the blessed hope of His glorious return. He gave Himself to redeem us from all iniquity and to cleanse for Himself a people zealous for good works.
Therefore, our contemplation of these readings calls us to more than just admiration of a sacred story. It compels us to embrace the light that has come into the world and to allow its radiance to penetrate our own lives. Just as the shepherds responded with haste to the angelic announcement, we are invited to welcome Christ's presence, not just into our hearts, but into our daily actions. This means actively pursuing the justice and peace that Isaiah foretold, and embodying the sober, just, and pious living that Titus describes. Let us be a people who, having received this immeasurable grace, reflect its power through lives of genuine love and service, showing forth the transformative power of the Savior born for us.