Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 25, 2023
First Reading: Isaiah 9.2-4, 6-7
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.
Psalm 96
1Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.2Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.4For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.6Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, 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 his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.10Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.11Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it;12let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;13they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.
Second Reading: Titus 2.11-14
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.
Gospel: Luke 2.1-16
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
In today's readings, we journey through the prophecy of Isaiah, the instructional letter of Titus, and the narrative of Luke, each weaving a tapestry of hope, grace, and redemption. Isaiah's prophecy illuminates a people emerging from darkness into the light of a promised Messiah, a child born to bring peace and justice. Titus reminds us of God's grace that instructs us to live virtuously, anticipating the return of our Savior. Luke's Gospel vividly portrays the fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus, born in humility, yet proclaimed as the Savior by angels to shepherds.
These readings are interconnected, with Isaiah's prophecy finding its fulfillment in Luke's narrative. The Messiah's arrival is not just a historical event but a divine intervention that brings light to darkness. Titus bridges this event with our present, urging us to live in the grace of this redemption, striving for justice and sobriety as we await Christ's return.
In our daily lives, the birth of Jesus invites us to embrace hope and live in the light of God's grace. We are called to reject sin and embrace a life of virtue, reflecting the love and justice of Christ. As we celebrate the incarnation, let us remember that the true spirit of Christmas is living as children of God, bringing His love and peace to the world. May we, like the shepherds, hasten to encounter Christ, allowing His grace to transform us and guide us in living justly and lovingly.