12/21/2025 Traditional Service

AS WE GATHER Though Matthew is already telling of the birth of Jesus Christ, it is not yet the account we look forward to hearing on Christmas Eve. But this one, lighter on details, is heavy with the promise Jesus’ birth fulfills. This Sunday, we hear of Joseph’s own angel visit, of the name that shall be given to this child, and of His birth to save His people from their sins. All of this is prefigured in the voice of the Advent prophet Isaiah and framed in the essential message of the church by the words of Paul. Each of the readings appointed for today remind us that God has it all figured out, and even though it all unfolded in time before us, it was appointed by God from the beginning of time. As we remember again all that happened, we also happily remember that God still has it all in hand and that Christ is not only the fulfiller of the past but also the author of the future.