Christmas Season · Year C
Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Vigil
December 24, 2027
Overview & Insights
"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
Matthew tells how Joseph, engaged to Mary, learns in a dream that her child is conceived by the Holy Spirit and is told to name him Jesus. Matthew reads the birth as the fulfillment of Isaiah's sign of Immanuel, God with us.
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Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 1:18-25 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary reading of Joseph's dream and the naming of Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on Joseph's obedience and the name Immanuel.
Matthew 1 Commentary: The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse notes on Joseph's role in the nativity.
Matthew 1 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse by verse study library with word notes on the birth of Christ.
Matthew 1:18 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators compiled on Mary being found with child by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18-25: God With You (Advent 4A) Center for Excellence in Preaching
Full manuscript sermon on Immanuel, God with us, in Joseph's story.
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Vigil Mass Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic Sunday Connection with background and activities for the vigil readings.
The Nativity of the Lord (Year B) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Dr. Brant Pitre's video and notes on the four Christmas Mass readings, which stay fixed across the cycle.
The Christmas Vigil Mass (Cycles ABC) Agape Bible Study
Catholic verse by verse walk through all four Vigil Mass readings together.
Background & Word Study
Matthew 1:18 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text of Joseph's dream word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the authorship and themes of Matthew.
Matthew 1-13 Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the structure and message of the first half of Matthew.
The Church Fathers
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