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Christmas Season · Year B

Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Dawn

December 25, 2026

The Adoration of the Shepherds, Jacopo Bassano
The Adoration of the Shepherds, Jacopo Bassano, about 1545Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice
Two shepherds have come down on their knees in the dirt, one still gripping his staff, both barefoot and sunburnt; a third holds the donkey at the right. Mary lifts the cloth off the child, who is lying in a wicker basket set on the ground, and Joseph watches from the wall behind. The ox walks in from the right as if nobody had told it anything.When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.Jacopo BassanoBassano, who painted country people as country people and let them keep their hands and feet.Gallerie dell’Accademia, VeniceThe Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice.Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:15-20Lk 2:15-20
Second ReadingTitus 3:4-7Ti 3:4-7
First ReadingIsa. 62:11-12Is 62:11-12
Responsorial PsalmPs. 97:1+6, 11-12Ps 97:1+6, 11-12

Overview & Insights

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

With this scene, the fulfillment of the angel Gabriel’s announcements (1:11–20, 26–37) is complete. Both John and Jesus have been unexpectedly conceived, celebrated in prophetic songs, and born in remarkable circumstances. Each is already revealed as having a central role in God’s plan of salvation, but the angel’s words now emphasize that the good news is centered on the Messiah rather than on his forerunner.

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Take it further: Luke 2:15-20

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20Commentary on Lk 2:[1-7] 8-20 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary for the Christmas Dawn readings, the Lutheran voice on the shepherds returning glorifying God.

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Luke Chapter 2Enduring Word Bible Commentary Lk Chapter 2 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical exposition of the shepherds and Mary treasuring these things in her heart.

Luke 2:15 CommentariesLk 2:15 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic aggregated commentary (Barnes, Gill, Meyer, Ellicott) on the shepherds' journey to Bethlehem.

Luke 2 CommentaryLk 2 Commentary Precept Austin

Deep verse-by-verse study notes gathering many conservative scholars on Luke 2.

Bishop Barron on the Nativity in Luke's GospelBishop Barron on the Nativity in Lk's Gospel Word on Fire · Bishop Barron

Bishop Robert Barron unfolds the subversive Catholic reading of Luke's nativity for preachers and hearers.

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

Loyola Press Sunday Connection background, reflection questions, and family prayer keyed to the Dawn Mass gospel.

Background & Word Study

Luke 2:15 InterlinearLk 2:15 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text word by word with parsing for the shepherds' saying to one another and Mary pondering (symballousa).

BibleProject: Gospel of Luke Overview (Luke 1-9)BibleProject: Gospel of Lk Overview (Lk 1-9) BibleProject

Animated literary overview placing the nativity within Luke's design for the first half of the gospel.

Enter the Bible: LukeEnter the Bible: Lk Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on authorship, audience, and themes of Luke's gospel.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Luke 2Catena: Lk 2 Catena

Patristic and medieval comment chained verse by verse (Ambrose, Bede, Cyril) on the shepherds and Mary.

Worship & Prayers

Christmas Day II (RCL) The Lectionary Page

Collect and full appointed texts for the Dawn service in the Revised Common Lectionary.

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, Year B, Liturgical Resources UMC Discipleship

Prayers, hymn suggestions, and liturgical helps for planning Christmas worship in Year B.

Art & Music

Vanderbilt Divinity Library Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Curated visual art, hymns, and music indexed to the appointed nativity texts.

Questions preachers ask

What does Luke emphasize in the birth of Jesus?

The Savior of the world is laid in a manger and announced first to shepherds; the heavenly host sings glory to God in the highest and peace on earth.

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