December 25, 2026

7How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, Announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, saying to Zion, “Your God is King!” 8Listen! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, For they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD’s return to Zion. 9Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted his people, has redeemed Jerusalem. 10The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; All the ends of the earth can see the salvation of our God.

1Psalm 98 The Coming of God - A psalm. I - Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done marvelous deeds. His right hand and holy arm have won the victory. 2The LORD has made his victory known; has revealed his triumph in the sight of the nations, 3He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4II - Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise. 5Sing praise to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and melodious song. 6With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout with joy to the King, the LORD.

1In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; 2in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, 3who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. II. The Son Higher Than the Angels - Messianic Enthronement. 5For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? 6And again, when he leads the first-born into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be 4through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; 5the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6A man named John was sent from God. 7He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. 12But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 14And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. 15John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” 16From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, 17because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

11The LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, “See, your savior comes! See, his reward is with him, his recompense before him.” 12They shall be called “The Holy People,” “The Redeemed of the LORD.” And you shall be called “Cared For,” “A City Not Forsaken.”

1Psalm 97 The Divine Ruler of All I - The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. 6The heavens proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory. 11Light dawns for the just, and gladness for the honest of heart. 12Rejoice in the LORD, you just, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

4But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, 5not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, 6whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, 7so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

14“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15The Visit of the Shepherds. When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 19And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

1The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. 2You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing; They rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest, as they exult when dividing the spoils. 3For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, The rod of their taskmaster, you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 4For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for fire. 5For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. 6His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

1Psalm 96 God of the Universe I - Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2Sing to the LORD, bless his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his marvelous deeds. 11IV - Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; 12let the plains be joyful and all that is in them. Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice 13before the LORD who comes, who comes to govern the earth, To govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.

11Transformation of Life. For the grace of God has appeared, saving all 12and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

10The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. 2This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. 4And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. 9The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. 10The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

1For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep still, Until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her salvation like a burning torch. 2Nations shall behold your vindication, and all kings your glory; You shall be called by a new name bestowed by the mouth of the LORD. 3You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4No more shall you be called “Forsaken,” nor your land called “Desolate,” But you shall be called “My Delight is in her,” and your land “Espoused.” For the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be espoused. 5For as a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; And as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.

4I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: 5I will make your dynasty stand forever and establish your throne through all ages.” Selah 16Blessed the people who know the war cry, who walk in the radiance of your face, LORD. 17In your name they sing joyfully all the day; they rejoice in your righteousness. 27He shall cry to me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock of my salvation!’ 29Forever I will maintain my mercy for him; my covenant with him stands firm.

16Paul’s Address in the Synagogue. So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen. 17The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With uplifted arm he led them out of it 22Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’ 23From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. 24John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’

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1The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, 6Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. 7Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. 8Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. 9Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. 11Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. 12After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, 15Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 16Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah. 17Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations. The Birth of Jesus. 18Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. 19Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 20Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 21She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” 24When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. 25He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.