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Christmas Season · Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Midnight · Year A

Luke 2:1-14

Good News of Great Joy

December 25, 2025

The Concert of Angels and the Nativity (Isenheim Altarpiece), Matthias Grünewald
The Concert of Angels and the Nativity (Isenheim Altarpiece), Matthias Grünewald, 1512-1516Musée Unterlinden, Colmar
One panel, read across. On the left, inside a gothic canopy crawling with carved prophets, a crowd of angels playing, a great one kneeling at the front with a viol, and a figure of light behind them. On the right, in the open air, Mary holding the newborn, the wash tub and the swaddling cloth on the ground beside her, and far off over the hills the sky torn open with light and small angels in it. The stepped top of the panel has been clipped away to make a rectangle.In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and laid him in a manger.Matthias GrünewaldGrünewald, who put the choir and the child in the same frame and gave the angels real instruments and real hands.Musée Unterlinden, ColmarThe Musée Unterlinden in Colmar.Musée Unterlinden, Colmar
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:1-14Lk 2:1-14
Second ReadingTitus 2:11-14Ti 2:11-14
First ReadingIsa. 9:1-6Is 9:1-6
Responsorial PsalmPs. 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13 (Luke 2:11)Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13 (Lk 2:11)

Overview & Insights

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)

Luke alone dates the birth by imperial administration, and the dating is the most discussed crux in the chapter, since the census under Quirinius known to Josephus falls in 6 CE, a decade after Herod’s death. Whatever its resolution, the effect of verses 1 to 3 is to set the whole Roman world in motion so that one family arrives at the town of David. The detail usually rendered inn (v. 7) is not the word Luke uses for a commercial lodging at 10:34, and may mean the guest space of an ordinary house. The angelic announcement follows the pattern of an imperial birth notice, good news, a savior, peace, though the sign offered is a child in a feeding trough. The word today (v. 11) recurs at decisive moments in this Gospel, at Nazareth (4:21), at Jericho (19:9) and on the cross (23:43).

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Commentary

Commentary on Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]Commentary on Lk 2:1-14 [15-20] Working Preacher

Luther Seminary reading of the census, the manger, and the angels' good news to the shepherds.

Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) CommentaryLk 2:1-14 (15-20) Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on the social reversals woven through Luke's nativity.

Luke 2 Commentary: Jesus' Birth and BoyhoodLk 2 Commentary: Jesus' Birth and Boyhood Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse notes on the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

Luke 2 CommentaryLk 2 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse by verse study library with word notes on the nativity account.

Luke 2:1 CommentariesLk 2:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators compiled on the census and the birth of the Savior.

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass at Midnight Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic Sunday Connection with background and activities for the midnight Mass readings.

Bishop Barron on the Nativity of Luke's Gospel (Video)Bishop Barron on the Nativity of Lk's Gospel (Video) Word on Fire · Bishop Barron

Bishop Barron's video reflection on the subversive good news of Luke's nativity.

The Nativity of the Lord (Year B) Catholic Productions

Brant Pitre's extended treatment of Luke's Bethlehem narrative for the Mass during the Night, showing Jesus as Davidic heir and divine Son.

Background & Word Study

Luke 2:1 InterlinearLk 2:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text of the nativity word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.

Gospel of Luke SummaryGospel of Lk Summary BibleProject

Animated overview of the structure and message of Luke's Gospel.

The Church Fathers

Luke 2 - Catena Bible & CommentariesLk 2 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comments on the birth of Christ and the meaning of the manger.

Sermons & Reflections

Ox and Ass Before Him Bow Journey with Jesus

Lectionary essay reflecting on the animals, the manger, and the humility of the nativity.

Worship & Prayers

Christmas Midnight Mass EWTN

Pope John Paul II's Christmas Midnight Mass homily proclaiming the angels' 'Glory to God... peace on earth' of Luke 2:14.

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