January 4, 2026 | The Second Sunday After Christmas, Year A
Full-text of the Appointed Lessons (RSV and NRSV), with instructions for lectors
January 4 – 2 Christmas, Year A – BCP
ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Jeremiah 31:7-14
The prophet foretells the return of God’s people from exile. The Lord will lead them home to abundance, and their lives will overflow with joy and gladness.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: Thus says the Lord…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
For thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘The Lord has saved his people, the remnant of Israel.’ Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her who is in travail, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and E’phraim is my first-born. 10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands afar off; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. Then shall the maidens rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, says the Lord.”
New Revised Standard Version
For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.” For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a
God’s countless blessings find their ultimate fulfillment in the calling of Christians to be his children. The redeemed are encouraged to grow in wisdom and so prepare for their glorious inheritance.
A reading (lesson) from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: Blessed be the God…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might…
New Revised Standard Version
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Joseph’s concern for his family’s well being is demonstrated by his obedience to God’s will. He takes Jesus and Mary to the safety of Egypt, bringing them to Nazareth only after the death of King Herod.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
(Lead in with) RSV: After the wise men…; NRSV: Now after the wise men…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with the gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ”Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
New Revised Standard Version
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”
ILLUMINATION for the Alternate Gospel Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Luke 2:41-52
Jesus, at age 12, amazes his parents while in Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. When Joseph and Mary later notice his absence they find him in the temple sitting with the teachers and asking them questions.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Luke:
(Lead in with) RSV: Now his parents went…; NRSV: Now every year his…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with the gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.
New Revised Standard Version
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
ILLUMINATION for the Second Alternate Gospel Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Matthew 2:1-12
We hear the story of the wise men who, guided by a star, journey from the East to worship the one born to be the Savior for all.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
(Lead in with) RSV: Now when Jesus…; NRSV: In the time of…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with the gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ”Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
New Revised Standard Version
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
January 4 – 2 Christmas, Year A – RCL
ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Jeremiah 31:7-14
The prophet foretells the return of God’s people from exile. The Lord will lead them home to abundance, and their lives will overflow with joy and gladness.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: Thus says the Lord…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
For thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘The Lord has saved his people, the remnant of Israel.’ Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her who is in travail, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and E’phraim is my first-born. 10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands afar off; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. Then shall the maidens rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, says the Lord.”
New Revised Standard Version
For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.” For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a
God’s countless blessings find their ultimate fulfillment in the calling of Christians to be his children. The redeemed are encouraged to grow in wisdom and so prepare for their glorious inheritance.
A reading (lesson) from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: Blessed be the God…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might…
New Revised Standard Version
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Joseph’s concern for his family’s well being is demonstrated by his obedience to God’s will. He takes Jesus and Mary to the safety of Egypt, bringing them to Nazareth only after the death of King Herod.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
(Lead in with) RSV: After the wise men…; NRSV: Now after the wise men…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with the gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ”Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
New Revised Standard Version
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”
ILLUMINATION for the Alternate Gospel Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Luke 2:41-52
Jesus, at age 12, amazes his parents while in Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. When Joseph and Mary later notice his absence they find him in the temple sitting with the teachers and asking them questions.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Luke:
(Lead in with) RSV: Now his parents went…; NRSV: Now every year his…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with the gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.
New Revised Standard Version
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
ILLUMINATION for the Second Alternate Gospel Lesson
The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, Jan. 4, 2026
Matthew 2:1-12
We hear the story of the wise men who, guided by a star, journey from the East to worship the one born to be the Savior for all.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
(Lead in with) RSV: Now when Jesus…; NRSV: In the time of…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with the gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ”Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
New Revised Standard Version
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
The Living Word | Lectionary Preaching Aids
Exploring the Texts
“The incarnate infant faces trouble from the start. ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him’ (Matt. 2:13). The world was made through him, and yet the world knew him not. His maturation was a mystery and a worry to his loving parents. ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety’ (Luke 2:48). And yet there is profound stillness, a mandorla of glory where Christ is, for he is always ‘in my Father’s house.’”
“The prophet’s prediction of a mass migration back to the holy land contains in itself a seed of the Truth that is Christ our Lord. The people sing and shout for joy. Even the weak come: the blind, the lame, those with child, and those in labor. Their tears are tears of hope and joy, their steps along brooks of pristine waters, the path groomed and safe. Coming home they find grain and wine and oil, flocks and herds, and a watered garden. They come to a reconstructed paradise peopled by a community renewed and alive.”
“The epicenter of this migration is Christ our Lord. In him these blessings flow. He is the grain, the wine, the oil, flocks and herds, the dance, and all merry-making. He is the radiance of full joy, for he is himself all fullness, grace upon grace (John 1:16). This can be known only in Christ the Beloved.”
Preaching Today
Stuart Dunnan: Child of God
“So many prayers these days are just telling God what we want him to hear, or worse telling the people of God what we want them to hear. We have lost that sense of personal connection to God as Our Father and the personal juxtaposition of unworthiness and redemption that we can only feel as his children; we have lost in short our openness to be changed and our willingness to be wrong.”
Matthew Olver: The Jesus We Could Not Expect
“Mary’s discipleship is not a figment, not a mirage. Her struggle was real and palpable; as real as a knife draws blood. Her attempt to ‘hit upon the meaning of all she had witnessed herself and heard about from the shepherds,’ and now take in what she had witnessed in the temple, were exactly what they would be for you and me: work.”
Classic Texts
Charles Simeon: All the Glory
“If none but the strong and active were to enter on the Christian course, or none but the moral and the wise were to embrace the truth, we should be ready to ascribe the glory to ourselves. But God has reserved all the glory to himself, by taking the poor and ignorant and vile in preference to others.”
Didymus the Blind: Spiritual People
“The Spirit frees us from sin and death, and changes us from the earthly people we were, people of dust and ashes, into spiritual people, sharers in the divine glory, and heirs of God the Father who bear a likeness to the Son.”
Evelyn Underhill: The Frame of the Homely Life
“We see the new life growing in secret. Nothing very startling happens. We see the child in the carpenter’s workshop. He does not go outside the frame of the homely life in which he appeared. It did quite well for him and will do quite well for us.”
Articles on Spiritual Development
Craig Uffman: On Being ‘Spiritual, But Not Religious’
“Religion is not messy because the trail is false but because those en-route to the spiritual summit are human. The mountain abounds with life, causing the trail to shift with time and seasons.”
Sarah Puryear: Liturgy of the Ordinary
“I am a recovering idealist. I suffer from an unhealthy infatuation with spiritual highs that sidesteps or overlooks the reality of daily living. I would much rather skip over all the details and rituals that must be enacted or endured every day and cut straight to the mountaintop experiences.”
Kirk Petersen: Renewal Works (If You Work It)
“Twenty-one percent of our folks are in churches that are described as ‘complacent,’ which is basically saying that they don’t expect any transformation to happen at all.”
Articles on the House of God
Duo Dickinson: God, Beauty, and Architecture
“The Roman philosopher Vitruvius defined architecture as manifesting ‘Firmness [structure], Commodity [use], and Delight [beauty].’ What makes any building attempt Delight? I think it is God who gives humanity the ability to see beyond shelter, and the Bible captures that essential imperative.”
Calvin Lane: A House for the Body
“Because there is so much physicality involved in Christian practice, we consecrate — set aside through prayer and blessing — spaces for these unique activities. This approach to sacred space is grounded in God’s robust affirmation of creation as good, God’s joining with creation in the Incarnation, and God’s raising it again at the Resurrection.”
Elisabeth Kincaid: Standing at the Doors of the House of the Lord
“Like those entering the temple and closing their ears to Jeremiah’s indictment, his crude use of the visible signs of the Christian faith encouraged those who prefer to say, ‘This is the house of the Lord’ rather than listen to what the Lord actually says.”
Articles on the Fatherhood of God
Anthony Baker: Fathers, Children, and Gifts
“There remains, it seems to me, something so basic in the analogy of the fatherhood of God that it very nearly escapes the metaphorical register, as I hinted above: it suggests that all our creating and all our gift-giving are approximations to the true and eternal begetting and giving.”
Jean McCurdy Meade: Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother
“Our understanding of the ‘God of our Fathers,’ one of the names in the Torah for the Lord that Jesus came to reveal in his life, death, and resurrection, is enlarged to call God ‘Our Father’ and even the familiar ‘Abba.’”
Elizabeth Anderson: Translating the Trinity
“The semantic range of Father has historically encompassed a number of things, including authority and governance, providence and protection, the active power of creation (a creation that is by will rather than by emanation or generation), and a loving intimacy of relationship.”
