Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 25, 2025
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
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.