Merry Christmas to all. This Thursday, December 25, is the Nativity of the Lord. We will review the readings for Christmas Mass during the day. Let’s take a look.
Gospel Text – John 1:1-18
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.”
“But to those who did accept him, he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 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.”
First Reading – Isaiah 52:7-10
Isaiah paints the picture of a messenger running over the mountains announcing good news—peace, salvation, and the proclamation “Your God reigns!” The prophet declares that God is returning to His people, redeeming Jerusalem, and revealing His salvation to all nations. The entire world will see God’s saving power.
Second Reading – Hebrews 1:1-6
Hebrews opens by saying that God once spoke through prophets, but now speaks through His Son, Jesus. He is the radiance of God’s glory, and the one through whom the world was created. Jesus is God’s ultimate revelation to us.
Gospel Reading – John 1:1-18
John begins before creation: “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” This eternal Word becomes flesh and dwells among us, revealing God’s glory, full of grace and truth. Jesus is the light shining in darkness, the source of life, and the one who makes God known to us. In Him, God becomes visible and accessible. Through Him, we become children of God.
The Catholic View
These readings are often paired (especially around Christmas) because together they form a sweeping arc: Promise → Fulfillment → Revelation. Isaiah promises God’s saving return. Hebrews declares that this saving revelation is Jesus. John shows the cosmic depth of that revelation: the Creator enters creation. They proclaim one message:
“God comes personally, visibly, and definitively in Jesus Christ to bring salvation to the world.”
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Peace
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