Daily Readings for December 25, 2017

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

1ST READING

We celebrate today the revelation of the Redeemer — His birth to a lowly family in a nondescript town called Bethlehem. This is hardly what one would expect of the Son of God or, for that matter, one who will become the Redeemer of the world. However, this humble beginning becomes the pattern for the future. When we study the history of the Church and the lives of the saints, one thing we see without any doubt is their profound humility.

Isaiah 52:7-10

7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!” 8 Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the Lord restoring Zion. 9 Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the Lord comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. 10 The Lord has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

P S A L M

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

2ND READING

For 2,000 years, God has been using various patriarchs, judges and prophets to communicate with His people, but now He sends us His Son, Jesus. This brings to a close the era of revelation (revelation is complete with the death of the last apostle of Jesus). It is now time for us to respond to the Good News of salvation brought by Jesus and, in doing so, demonstrate our willingness to be saved. That is, to enter into the economy of salvation according to the mind of God.

Hebrews 1:1-6

1 Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; 2 in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, 3 who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say: You are my son; this day I have begotten you? Or again: I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me? 6 And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.

GOSPEL

The Word of God is the Light of the World and the Savior of All. It is important to reflect on how we see our relationship with God today. We are given the opportunity to welcome Him again into our lives. This is one of the great beneficial dynamics of the Church’s liturgy being circular or repetitive — we always come back to the same feasts and celebrations every year.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.

John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be 4 through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; 5 the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. 12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ ” 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, 17 because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.