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Nativity of Our Lord • Year A
December 24, 2025 • Christmas Eve
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Historical Collect
O God, you have made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Grant that as we have known on earth the mysteries of that Light, we may also come to the fullness of his joys in heaven; through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)
Thematic Collect
God of majesty, on this holy night your light and life broke into the darkness of our human condition. Grant that your light and life will continue to shine through us into a dark and weary world until that time when your glory reigns forever; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Common Thread
A decree was once made that the entire Roman Empire should be counted, so that taxes could be levied for the support of the empire. However, a greater proclamation went out long before the empire of Rome, that the government of all people would rest upon the shoulders of the child of light. That government will increase, forever adding citizens to his kingdom. So we see that God used the Roman Empire that no longer exists, to advance a better royal edict, that the glorious reign of the Prince of Peace would have no end (Luke 1:33). “He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness,” bringing salvation through his grace to all people. Now we await with blessed hope the final appearing of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself to redeem the world.
First Reading • Isaiah 7:10–14
The Lord always has a greater blessing in mind. Salvation from an oppressing nation was on the king’s mind, but God had something extraordinary in view. Though Ahaz would not live to see it fulfilled, Isaiah foretold the Savior of all people who would be born of a virgin. We too, have miracles we would like to see the Lord perform, for there is always an enemy ready to carry off health, wealth, family, or national security. Ask for that miracle of the moment but remember that God has already performed the greatest miracle of all: salvation for all people through Jesus Christ our great God and Savior (Titus 2:11-13).
Psalm • Psalm 110:1–4
The Anointed One is of a different and superior order than King David and all the other kings of Israel. The enduring kingdom would be led by priestly king, not known since the days of Melchizedek. This righteous king has “no beginning of days or ending of life.” The King of kings is a “priest forever.” (Heb 7:3) The Lord has sworn, and his promise is fulfilled in Christ, the Son of God.
Second Reading • 1 John 4:7–16
John speaks of Christian love, that unique brand of love that sacrifices self for the good of others. This sort of love comes from God. We cannot muster it from within or muscle it into existence. When we confess that Jesus is the Son of God, his Spirit comes to live in us, and we in God. That is when his love is first, birthed in us and finally, perfected if we endure with abiding faith in God’s love for us.
Gospel • Matthew 1:18–25
Think of Joseph’s great faith. Who among us would be so bold because of a dream? Yet, it was in a dream that an angel told Joesph to take the young, pregnant Mary to be his wife. The messenger reminded him of Isaiah’s prophecy, that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. When he awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel had instructed and took Mary to be his wife, calling her son Jesus. May we also awaken from our slumber and cry, Immanuel! God is with us—“even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20 NASB).
When Mary Still Was Pregnant - Christmas Hymn by Rev. Mark Ryman sung to the hymn tune "Webb."
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