Daily Readings - Sat Dec 25 2021
Isaiah
2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.3You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.4For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Titus
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,13while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Luke
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3And everyone went to his own town to register.4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Sermon
The readings today paint a beautiful picture of hope, redemption, and the fulfillment of God’s promise. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear of a people who walked in darkness but have now seen a great light. This light is the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, whose birth brings joy and liberation from oppression. The prophet describes this Messiah as a child born to us, a son given to us, who carries the weight of leadership and brings peace that will never end. This passage, written centuries before Christ, sets the stage for the coming of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promise to His people.
In the second reading from Titus, we are reminded of the grace of God that has appeared to all people. This grace is not just a feeling or a concept but a transformative power that instructs us to live soberly, justly, and devoutly in this age. It calls us to reject the emptiness of worldly desires and instead pursue lives marked by good works, all while looking forward to the hope of Christ’s return. This passage emphasizes that our faith is not just about waiting passively but about living actively in a way that reflects the love and justice of God.
The Gospel reading from Luke brings us to the moment of fulfillment. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is the answer to Isaiah’s prophecy and the embodiment of Titus’ description of God’s grace. The shepherds, simple and humble, are the first to receive the news of the Savior’s birth. The angels declare that this child is Christ the Lord, and the sign of His presence is His humility—wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. The shepherds’ response is one of faith and action: they go quickly to see this wonder, and they find Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus just as the angels described.
These readings remind us that God’s plan is one of light in darkness, hope in despair, and peace in turmoil. Just as the shepherds were called to trust the message of the angels, we are called to trust in God’s promises. In our daily lives, we can reflect on how we might be called to live out the grace of God, rejecting the pull of worldly desires and instead pursuing lives of justice, peace, and love. Let us ask ourselves: Where is God calling us to trust in His plan? How can we, like the shepherds, respond with faith and action? May we, like Mary and Joseph, embrace the humility and simplicity of Christ’s presence in our lives, and may we, like the angels, proclaim His glory to a world in need of hope.