lectionary.com

Christmas Season · Year B

Holy Name of Jesus

January 1, 2027

Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerard van Honthorst
Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerard van Honthorst, 1622Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne
The whole scene lit by the child himself, with the shepherds leaning in out of the dark. Honthorst was nicknamed Gherardo delle Notti in Italy for exactly this.Luke has the shepherds arrive in the middle of the night and find the thing they were told about, and the painting makes the child the only light source.Gerard van HonthorstA Utrecht painter (1592-1656) who went to Rome, learned Caravaggio's night lighting there, and brought it home. The Italians called him Gherardo delle Notti, Gerard of the Nights.Wallraf-Richartz Museum, CologneCologne's oldest museum, founded on a canon's bequest in 1824, strongest in medieval Cologne painting.Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:15-21Lk 2:15-21
EpistleGal. 4:4-7Gal 4:4-7 orPhil. 2:5-11Phil 2:5-11
Old TestamentNum. 6:22-27Nm 6:22-27
PsalterPs. 8Ps 8

Overview & Insights

“Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” (Luke 2:15)

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 2:15-21

Commentary

Luke 2:15-21Lk 2:15-21 Working Preacher

A Luther Seminary scholar joins the shepherds' proclamation to the eighth-day naming, and what the name Jesus (Yahweh saves) says about his mission.

Mary, Holy Mother of God Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

A Catholic reflection for the January 1 Solemnity, reading Luke 2 through Mary's pondering with discussion questions and prayer prompts.

The Semiotics of Jesus Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

An Anglican Holy Name Day sermon on how a name signifies identity and calling, a preached take on the naming in Luke 2:21.

Luke 2Lk 2 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An evangelical verse-by-verse commentary covering the shepherds' witness and the circumcision and naming of Jesus.

Luke 2 resourcesLk 2 resources Precept Austin

An exhaustive study compilation gathering word studies, cross-references, and quotations from many commentators on Luke 2.

Classic commentaries on Luke 2Classic commentaries on Lk 2 BibleHub

A classic aggregator placing public-domain commentaries and parallel translations for Luke 2 side by side.

Background & Word Study

Overview: Luke 1-9Overview: Lk 1-9 BibleProject

An animated overview mapping the literary design of Luke that frames the infancy narrative and the naming account.

The Church Fathers

Luke 2, patristic commentaryLk 2, patristic commentary Catena

Verse-by-verse patristic comment on Luke 2 from Ambrose, Cyril, Bede, and other early voices.

Worship & Prayers

New Year's Eve / Day, Year B UMC Discipleship

United Methodist worship-planning notes with prayers, hymn ideas, and liturgy for the New Year and Holy Name observance.

Podcast

Sermon Brainwave: Name of Jesus (January 1) Working Preacher

Three Luther Seminary professors talk through all four Name of Jesus texts for January 1 in a preacher's roundtable.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

Lectionary art, image, and hymn suggestions indexed by day for worship planning around the Holy Name.

Study Hub

The Text This Week: Luke 2:15-21The Text This Week: Lk 2:15-21 Textweek

A link hub aggregating commentaries, artwork, sermons, and liturgy for Luke 2:15-21 and the Holy Name (a few links may be dated).

Questions preachers ask

What do the shepherds do?

They hurry to find Mary, Joseph, and the child in the manger, then return glorifying and praising God; on the eighth day the child is named Jesus, as the angel had said.

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