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Matthew 1:18-25 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

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 pregnant from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce 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 become pregnant and give birth to a son,    and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

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 given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

Luke 2:1-14  New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius 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 in the guest room. 

⁸ Now in that same 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!”

Tonight we heard the ancient promise fulfilled:“They shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”

God comes to us not in power or splendor, but as a tiny, vulnerable baby. Born not in a palace, but in a stable. Laid not in a cradle, but in a manger. Born to a young mother, first welcomed by shepherds—people on the margins.

From the very beginning, God makes themself accessible to the least among us.

And yet, some of us may still feel shut off—from God, from church, from belonging. We may carry the fear that there is no room for us at the inn. Maybe we feel distant or unsure. Perhaps we know our own mistakes too well. 

Here is the good news: The angel says to the shepherds: “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.” 

The angel declares this to the shepherds. Not to the powerful. Not to the perfect. To you. To all of us. Whoever we are. Wherever we are. 

Jesus comes as a gift for all people. God chooses Mary. God chooses a stable. God chooses shepherds.

So we can trust this truth: God is for everyone. God shows up anywhere and everywhere. God is here—for each of us—just as we are—and as we are becoming.

The Word became flesh because God loves us and wants to be near us. God’s gift is presence—shared life, shared love.

So how will we live in response?

If we choose, our gift back to God is to let our lives and our lights shine. Not only where it’s easy, but where it’s needed most.

Will we be light for children waiting for safety and belonging?Will we be light for those seeking shelter, dignity, and peace?Will we be light for a wounded earth, longing for care and healing?

The angels who announced Jesus’ birth are still speaking. Sometimes we recognize their voices but often we do not. If we slow down, we might hear more angel voices, and perhaps heed more angel voices. And if we really slow down, we might become the angel voices.

Tonight, as we light our candles from the Christ Candle, we remember: The light has come into the world. The light shines in the darkness. And the darkness does not overcome it.

Jesus was the Light. Jesus is the Light of the world.And now—through us—that light continues to shine.

That feeling you carry tonight—after the songs, the story, the wonder—it is not meant to fade when this service ends. It is meant for every one of us, in every season.

We have waited. We have prepared. We have received the gift of life and light.

The gift is ours. And the gift is ours to share.

A Closing Prayer from John Philip Newell (Celtic Treasure: Daily Scriptures & Prayer)

You have taught us, O Christ, to love the world. 

You have shown us the light that is within us and within all things. 

May we learn to love you more 

and in loving you more  

learn to love the earth and all its people more,

for you are the light of all life. 

Amen

December 24, 2025

Rev. TJ Mack – Union Congregational Church of Hancock