lectionary.com

Christmas Season · Year C

Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Vigil

December 24, 2027

The Dream of Saint Joseph, Gerard Seghers
The Dream of Saint Joseph, Gerard Seghers, 17th centuryMuseum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent
An angel swoops down to the sleeping Joseph, while behind him Mary sits quietly with the newborn child.But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.Gerard SeghersAn Antwerp painter of the generation of Rubens, who painted many altarpieces for Flemish churches.Museum voor Schone Kunsten, GhentThe Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent, Belgium, one of the oldest museums in the country.Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 1:1-25Mt 1:1-25 orMatt. 1: 18-25Mt 1: 18-25
Second ReadingActs 13:16-17, 22-25
First ReadingIsa. 62:1-5Is 62:1-5
Responsorial PsalmPs. 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 (2a)Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 (2a)

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.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Matthew 1:1-25 or Matthew 1: 18-25

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 1:18-25Commentary on Mt 1:18-25 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary reading of Joseph's dream and the naming of Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25 CommentaryMt 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 JesusMt 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 CommentaryMt 1 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse by verse study library with word notes on the birth of Christ.

Matthew 1:18 CommentariesMt 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)Mt 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 InterlinearMt 1:18 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text of Joseph's dream word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.

Matthew 1-13 OverviewMt 1-13 Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of the structure and message of the first half of Matthew.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 1 - Catena Bible & CommentariesMt 1 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comments on the virginal conception and the naming of Jesus.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Curated fine art and images indexed to the lectionary readings.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Matthew 1:1-25 or Matthew 1: 18-25
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.