Daily Readings - Sun Dec 18 2022
Isaiah
10Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,11Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.13And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Romans
1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,2Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Sermon
The readings today weave together a powerful narrative of faith, trust, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the prophet offering King Ahaz a sign from God—a virgin who will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.” This promise, made in a time of uncertainty and crisis, is a reminder that God’s presence is always near, even in the darkest moments. The second reading from Romans introduces us to St. Paul, who writes about the Gospel of God, which was promised through the prophets and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Paul emphasizes that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are the culmination of God’s plan to bring salvation to all people. Finally, in the Gospel, we witness the quiet faith of Joseph, who, despite confusion and fear, trusts in God’s plan when an angel assures him that Mary’s child is of the Holy Spirit. Joseph’s obedience and trust in God’s word fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, as Jesus, the Emmanuel, is born into the world.
These readings are deeply connected, as they all point to the same truth: God’s plan of salvation is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Isaiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in the Gospel, where Mary, the virgin, conceives and gives birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Paul’s letter to the Romans bridges the Old Testament promise with the New Testament reality, emphasizing that Jesus is both the descendant of David and the Son of God, raised from the dead. Together, these readings remind us that God’s promises are always fulfilled, though not always in the way we expect. Joseph’s example teaches us the importance of trusting in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear or challenging.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God’s providence. Like Joseph, we may face situations that seem uncertain or difficult to understand. Yet, the Gospel assures us that God is always with us, even in the midst of confusion. The name “Emmanuel” reminds us that God’s presence is not distant but intimately close, especially in the challenges we face. Let us strive to imitate Joseph’s quiet faith and obedience, trusting that God’s plan for us is always one of love and salvation. May we, like Mary and Joseph, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and allow God’s will to be fulfilled in our lives.