Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 25, 2025
First Reading: Isaiah 9.2-4, 6-7
2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Psalm 96
1O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.2Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.3Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.4For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.6Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.8Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.9O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.10Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.12Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice13Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Second Reading: Titus 2.11-14
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Gospel: Luke 2.1-16
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.2And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe 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.