OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 62: 1 - 5 Isai 62:1 (NRSV) For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. 2 The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. 3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. 5 For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. PSALM 89: 3 - 4, 15 - 16, 26, 28 (Roman Catholic) Psal 89:1 (NRSV) 3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: 4 "I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.' " [Selah] 15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance; 16 they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness. 26 He shall cry to me, "You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation!' 28 Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm. Note: Verse numbering is one higher in Roman Catholic bibles. NEW TESTAMENT: Acts 13: 16 - 17, 22 - 25 Acts 13:16 (NRSV) So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak: "You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 22 When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, "I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' 23 Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; 24 before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his work, he said, "What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.' GOSPEL: Matthew 1: (1 - 17) 18 - 25 Matt 1:1 (NRSV) An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Per'ez and Ze'rah by Ta'mar, and Per'ez the father of Hez'ron, and Hez'ron the father of Ar'am, 4 and Ar'am the father of Amin'adab, and Amin'adab the father of Nah'shon, and Nah'shon the father of Sal'mon, 5 and Sal'mon the father of Bo'az by Ra'hab, and Bo'az the father of O'bed by Ruth, and O'bed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uri'ah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehobo'am, and Rehobo'am the father of Abi'jah, and Abi'jah the father of A'saph, 8 and A'saph the father of Jehosh'aphat, and Jehosh'aphat the father of Jo'ram, and Jo'ram the father of Uzzi'ah, 9 and Uzzi'ah the father of Jo'tham, and Jo'tham the father of A'haz, and A'haz the father of Hezeki'ah, 10 and Hezeki'ah the father of Manas'seh, and Manas'seh the father of A'mos, and A'mos the father of Josi'ah, 11 and Josi'ah the father of Jechoni'ah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoni'ah was the father of Sala'thiel, and Sala'thiel the father of Zerub'babel, 13 and Zerub'babel the father of Abi'ud, and Abi'ud the father of Eli'akim, and Eli'akim the father of A'zor, 14 and A'zor the father of Za'dok, and Za'dok the father of A'chim, and A'chim the father of Eli'ud, 15 and Eli'ud the father of Elea'zar, and Elea'zar the father of Mat'than, and Mat'than the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations. 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 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. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emman'uel," which means, "God is with us." 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- READINGS for PROPER I OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 9: 2 - 7 (RCL, Roman Catholic) Isai 9:2 (NRSV) {Ch 9.1 in Heb} The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Mid'ian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Note: the verse numbering used by the Roman Catholic lectionary & Bible is different - verses are numbered 1 less than in the NRSV. PSAM 96 (RCL) Psalm 96: 1 - 3, 11 - 13 (Roman Catholic) Psal 96:1 (NRSV) O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity." 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth. 96 Cantate Domino (ECUSA BCP) 1 Sing to the Lord a new song; * sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. 2 Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; * proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations * and his wonders among all peoples. 4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; * he is more to be feared than all gods. 5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; * but it is the Lord who made the heavens. 6 Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! * Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! 7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; * ascribe to the Lord honor and power. 8 Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; * bring offerings and come into his courts. 9 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; * let the whole earth tremble before him. 10 Tell it out among the nations: "The Lord is King! * he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; * let the field be joyful and all that is therein. 12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord when he comes, * when he comes to judge the earth. 13 He will judge the world with righteousness * and the peoples with his truth. NEW TESTAMENT: Titus 2: 11 - 14 (all) Titu 2:11 (NRSV) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. h/t Montreal Anglican Merry Christmas! In v. 1, the author has admonished his readers to “teach what is consistent with sound doctrine.” They are to teach and practice good ethical behaviour, proper living in their life setting, the household, “so that the word of God may not be discredited” (v. 5). How are they (and we) to do this? “The grace of God” (v. 11), personified in Christ, has come to bring salvation to all people, to enable us to renounce what is immoral, and to live virtuous lives. (God achieves for the faithful “training” (v. 12), true education – something of great value in Greco-Roman society.) We are to live virtuously while we await the second coming of Christ, who is God and Saviour (v. 13). Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was so that we might be cleansed from sin, be redeemed from slavery to sin to forgiveness of sins, be made godly, and be people who live ethically (“zealous for good deeds”, v. 14). 2:1-3:8 is a section stating what the true teacher is to teach. [NJBC] Verse 2: Qualities listed here that are expected of others in 1 and 2 Timothy: “temperate” 1 Timothy 3:2 of bishops 1 Timothy 3:11 of women “serious” 1 Timothy 3:8 of deacons “prudent” 1 Timothy 3:2 of bishops “sound in faith, in love, and in endurance” 1 Timothy 6:11 of a “man of God” 2 Timothy 3:10 of Paul [CAB] Verse 2: “sound in faith, in love, and in endurance”: “Endurance” replaces “hope” of the traditional triad: in 1 Corinthians 13:13, Paul writes: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love”. [NJBC] Verse 3: 1 Timothy 2:8-10 advises that men should pray “without anger or argument” and women “ should dress themselves ... with good works”. See also 1 Timothy 3:8, 11. [CAB] Verse 3: “teach what is good”: The author of the Pastoral Epistles did not, however, want women teaching men or teaching in the context of worship. 1 Timothy 2:11-12 says “Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent.” [NJBC] The author was a creature of his culture. Verses 4-5: See 1 Timothy 2:9-15; 5:11-14. See also Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 5:21-23; 1 Peter 3:1. [CAB] Verses 4-5: The stress on domestic virtues is not unrelated to the fact that younger women had apparently become involved in spreading false teaching. 1 Timothy 5:13 says that younger widows “learn to be idle, gadding about from house to house; and they are not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say”. [NJBC] Verse 5: “submissive to their husbands”: Ephesians 5:21 says “Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ”. The general principle is that of mutual subjection (Paul says, in Philippians 2:3, “... in humility regard others as better than yourselves”). The culture is reflected in the subordination of slaves. [NOAB] It was a given of ancient social morality that wives were submissive to their husbands. [NJBC] Verse 5: “so that the word of God may not be discredited”: A frequent theme in the Pastoral Epistles is good conduct for the sake of non-believers. See also 1:6; 2:8, 10, 11, 14; 3:2, 8, 14; 1 Timothy 2:1-2. See also 1 Peter 2:11-17. [CAB] Verse 7: Like Timothy (in 1 Timothy 4:12; 5:1; 2 Timothy 2:22), Titus is depicted as a young man, probably in order to make him a type of the next generation of church leaders after Paul. [NJBC] Verse 9: “Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters ...”: See also 1 Corinthians 7:21-23; Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22; 1 Timothy 6:1-2. [NOAB] Verse 9: “slaves”: Although 1 Timothy 6:1-2 implies that many slave masters were not Christian, the community of the Pastoral Epistles had wealthier members (see 1 Timothy 2:9; 6:17-19) who presumably owned slaves. [JBC] Verse 10: The author mentions a stereotypical slave vice, pilfering, but fails to list the duties of masters. So he seems to have a lurking bias towards slaveholders. [NJBC] Verse 11: See also 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 2 Timothy 1:9-10; Colossians 1:15-20; Ephesians 1:15-23. [CAB] Verse 11: “the grace of God”: Personified, as it is in the writings of Philo of Alexandria. Elsewhere in the Pastoral Epistles, it is always Christ who appears: see 2:13; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 1:10; 4:1, 8. [NJBC] Verse 12: In Romans 1:18, Paul writes: “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth”. See also Galatians 5:16, 24. [CAB] Verse 12: “training”: Can also be translated educating. True education counters impiety (the vice opposed to piety/loyalty/devotedness, NRSV: “godly”) and worldly passions and promotes the leading of a fully virtuous life. [NJBC] Verse 12: “self-controlled, upright, and godly”: Can be rendered with moderation, justice and piety. These virtues stand for virtues in general. [NJBC] Verse 13: Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:7: “so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ”. [CAB] Verse 13: “blessed hope ... glory”: The manifestation of God himself (“glory”) that took place in the incarnation and in our participation in it (see also John 1:14-18; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6; Colossians 1:27). [JBC] Verse 13: “manifestation”: This word also appears in 1 Timothy 6:14: “to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ”. The word epiphaneia occurs here, in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 and five times in the Pastoral Epistles, not always with the same meaning. Here it means the parousia of Christ. [JBC] Verse 13: “our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ”: The Pastorals see Christ as subordinate to God yet accord him, as a past and yet-to-come manifestation of God, the same titles as God. Here he receives the very name of God. [NJBC] Verse 14: Revelation 1:5 says “... Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth”. [CAB] Verse 14: “who gave himself”: In Matthew 20:28, Jesus says “just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many”. See also Mark 10:45 and Galatians 1:4. [NOAB] Verse 14: “he might ... own”: Biblical promises made by God (see Ezekiel 37:23; Psalm 130:8; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2) are accomplished through Christ’s self-giving. [NJBC] The author of Ephesians asserts that Christians are people of the New Covenant whom Christ purified: see Ephesians 5:25-27. See also Hebrews 9:14 and 1 Peter 2:9-10. [JBC] Verse 15: In the Pastoral Epistles, the function of ministry is to safeguard the traditions handed down about Jesus and the apostles. In 1 Timothy 6:20, the author advises: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you”. See also 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:2, 14-15, 24-25; 3:14; 4:2. [CAB] GOSPEL: Luke 2: 1 - 14 (15 - 20) (RCL) Luke 2: 1 - 14 (Roman Catholic) Luke 2:1 (NRSV) In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirin'ius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 15 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, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke is concerned to place Jesus in the time-line of history, as a real human being. We know of Augustus’ attempt to clean up the taxation system: as well as requiring more reasonable practices of tax collectors, he introduced a truly equitable tax: a poll-tax. Every 14 years, a census was held: people were required to present themselves in their ancestral towns, to register for the tax. Records are fragmentary but we do know that a census was held by “Quirinius” (v. 2) of Syria in 6-7 AD. Perhaps Judea was included in a census of 8-7 BC, “the first registration”. From Matthew 2:16, we know that Herod the Great sought to kill Jesus by slaughtering all children aged two or less. Because Herod died in 4 BC, Jesus was born no later than 6 BC. The dates agree. Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, the city of David, to “to be registered” (v. 5). Jesus is born in Bethlehem in fulfilment of the prophecy of Micah 5:2-5: a shepherd-king is to be born there. In v. 7, Jesus is treated like any other newborn of the time: he is wrapped in cloths, but there may be a message in his being born in “a manger”: animals normally fed from it; Jesus is sustenance for the world. In vv. 8-14, we learn the meaning of Jesus’ birth. Those who hear the pronouncement by the angel are “shepherds” (v. 8), lowly people. David too was a shepherd; in Luke, Jesus comes to the poor, the lowly. The message of Christ’s birth is indeed a joyful one – for all. V. 11 mentions our great claims as to who Jesus is: “Saviour”, “Messiah” and “Lord”. As “Saviour”, he restores us to wholeness, rescues us from sin and alienation from God. In Jesus, God is present with sinners and saves us from destructive self-isolation to union with him, in a nurturing community. As “Messiah”, he inaugurates the era of heavenly peace: the end-time has begun. As “Lord”, he is God come in human form. The kingdom is for all those whom God has chosen (v. 14b). In vv. 15-20 the shepherds visit Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They tell them and many others the good news the angels have told them The parallel is Matthew 1:18-2:23. [NOAB] Verse 1: “all the world”: The Roman Empire. [NOAB] Verse 2: “Quirinius”: He was a special legate or commissioner from Augustus, sent to carry on a war against a rebellious tribe, the Homonadenses. As such, he was military governor of Syria. There was also a civil governor. [NOAB] Verse 4: “descended from ... David”: See also 1:27 (the announcement to Mary), 32-33, 69-71 (Zechariah prophesies). [NJBC] Verse 7: “firstborn”: NJBC wonders whether the meaning here is firstborn of God. Verse 7: “bands of cloth”: Wisdom of Solomon 7:4 says “I [Solomon] was nursed with care in swaddling cloths”. Like Solomon, his predecessor on the throne of David, Jesus wears the trappings of humility. [NJBC] Verse 7: The imperial cult celebrated Augustus as the bringer of peace. While Augustus brought some peace through military might, in the powerlessness of his babyhood, Jesus is Saviour and bringer of peace to all. [NJBC] Verse 7: “inn”: A two-story building, typically 13 metres by 20 metres (40 feet by 65 feet). Animals stayed in the lower courtyard. Kitchens and other facilities were on the lower floor, and bedrooms on the upper floor. The Greek word katalyma used here also appears in 22:11 as the site of the Last Supper. [NJBC] Verse 8: “shepherds”: An echo of David’s origins as a shepherd: see 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Shepherds were ritually unclean. [NJBC] Verse 9: “terrified”: While some scholars tell us that this means held God in awe, I suggest that they were literally terrified. What they saw was beyond their experience; indeed it was beyond the limits of human understanding. See also 1:65; 7:16; Acts 2:43; 5:5, 11; 19:17. [NOAB] Verse 10: 1:26 says “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth”. [JBC] Verses 11-14: These verses are the key to the meaning of the passage. [JBC] Verse 11: “this day”: i.e. today: not in the distant future (as Jews expected), but being inaugurated now! For today as a theme in Luke, see 4:21; 5:36; 12:28; 13:32-33; 19:5, 9; 22:34, 61; 23:43. [NJBC] Verse 11: “Saviour”: In Jesus, God is present with sinners (see 19:5, 10; 23:43). Jesus saves from destructive self-isolation to union with the nurturing community. Verse 11: “Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord”: See also Matthew 1:21; 16:16; John 4:42; Acts 2:36; 5:31; Philippians 2:11. [NOAB] Verse 14: See also 3:22 (“‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’”, at Jesus’ baptism) and 19:38 (“‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’”, Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem). [NOAB] Verse 14: In Jesus, God has effected God’s gift of peace expected at the end of the time. [NJBC] Verse 14: “peace among those whom he favours”: Lack of a single letter in later Greek manuscripts accounts for the alternative rendering: peace, goodwill among people. [NOAB] Verse 14: “those whom he favours”: Those whom God has chosen in accord with his good pleasure. [NOAB] Verse 16: “the child lying in the manger”: As foretold by the angel (see v. 12), but this “sign” also bears out and exemplifies the message that Jesus is Saviour (see v. 11). [NJBC] Verse 17: “what had been told them about this child”: This is complementary to: • The announcement to Mary (see 1:31-33) that Jesus is Saviour (see v. 11) • Mary’s statement in the Magnificat (see 1:46-55) • Zechariah’s statement, the Benedictus (see 1:68-79) [NJBC] Verse 19: Mary tries to find the meaning of these events. She models for believers the necessity of reflecting on, and embodying, peace. 1:45 says “blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord”. [NJBC]