Message from the Readings: (Sunday, December 21, 2025)

In the Isaiah reading, there is a prophetic announcement that deliverance will come to the people of Israel. This deliverance will be made possible by the love of God. Through the birth of a child and by the time he becomes aware of certain facts of life, this deliverance would have taken place. This is a message of hope, joy, peace and love that the people of Israel could bank on.

This Old Testament passage can be viewed as another announcement of salvation to the king of Israel and the people of Judah as is relates to the near future. It shows God’s ability to act on behalf of God’s people. The word to them is that by the time a child is born and old enough to know good from evil, the kings from other nations who are threatening Judah would have been destroyed.

The passage is one instance in which a baby being born as a sign of hope. Ahaz was told by the prophet to ask for a sign but refused to do so. The people were told by the prophet that the child would be a sign of God’s deliverance from those attempting to disrupt their peace. The name of the child ‘Immanuel’ would be a reminder to the people that God is always with them.

The Epistle reading covers the greetings to the people of Roman. Here the writer acknowledges belief in in the same Lord that the believers in Rome proclaim, that is Jesus Christ who is from the line of David. The writer believed to be Paul would have never been to Rome and would therefore need to establish that he is of the same faith.

The greeting also places emphasis on the incarnation of Christ, born of the flesh and Son of God who has power and the Spirit of holiness. Paul says how the gospel brought to the world through Jesus who gives grace to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles. The recipients of the letter are recognized as those called to belong to Jesus, God’s people in Rome who are called to be saints. The writer understands therefore that all believers by virtue of their faith are of service.

In the gospel reading, the love of God would come into the world through Mary who would give birth to the Saviour. It was the love that Joseph had for Mary that he tried to put her away secretly, to save her any embarrassment. It was also the love of God that made it known to Joseph that Mary was a apart of God’s salvation plan to redeem the world. It is this Love of God that gives us forgiveness, peace, joy and hope.