Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 20, 2025
First Reading: Isaiah 7.10-14; 8.10d
10Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz,11"Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."12But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test."13Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;2for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.3Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.5He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah7Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.9Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.10Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty- he is the King of glory. Selah
Gospel: Luke 1.26-38
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.37For nothing is impossible with God."38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Sermon
The ancient prophecy of Isaiah speaks to us of King Ahaz, who, in a moment of national crisis, refused God's offer of a sign, claiming he would not tempt the Lord. Yet, God, in His divine wisdom, insists on providing one anyway: "Behold, a virgin will conceive, and she will give birth to a son, and his name will be called Immanuel." This powerful assurance, that "God is with us" and all human plans against His will are destined to fail, finds its profound fulfillment in the Gospel. There, the Angel Gabriel is sent to Mary, a virgin, announcing that she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit, who will be called Jesus, the Son of the Most High, destined to reign eternally on David's throne. These two readings are deeply connected, for Luke reveals the very moment Isaiah's incredible prophecy began to unfold, showing us how God's promise of "Immanuel" would be perfectly embodied in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ through Mary.
The difference in response between King Ahaz and Mary offers us a poignant reflection. Ahaz, burdened by fear and self-reliance, chose to trust his own political schemes rather than God's direct intervention. Mary, though initially troubled and questioning how such a thing could be, ultimately surrendered to God's extraordinary and incomprehensible plan with profound humility and faith. We, too, often face moments in life where we are tempted to rely solely on our own understanding, our own strength, and human solutions, rather than opening our hearts fully to God's divine guidance. Mary's "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word" reminds us that "no word will be impossible with God." Her faithful response becomes a model for our own lives, inviting us to embrace God's often unexpected will, knowing that He is truly Immanuel, always with us, ready to accomplish what seems impossible through our humble trust.