The Circumcision and Holy Name of our Lord- 1 January- Luke 2:21

 On the traditional church calendar, the first day of January is not observed as New Year's Day. In fact, for much of church history, even the secular or civil new year was not observed in January. When the early Books of Common Prayer were published, the civil new year was still observed on 25 March (and continued this way until the new British calendar in 1752). On the church calendar, January 1 is the eighth day of Christmas (the liturgical Octave), and this day recalls the circumcision and naming of the Holy Child in accord with Jewish tradition.

One finds an emphasis on the name in the traditional Gospel assigned on this day. Luke 2:21 states that at the circumcision, the child "was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."  Jesus (Greek IESOU, Aramaic YESHUA) was a common Jewish name of the time, meaning "The LORD saves." In the case of this child, the common name has a special significance. This child born in Bethlehem is the divine Word incarnate who has come to save His people. Thus, the most appropriate way for us to begin a new year is to praise the holy name of Jesus and give thanks for the salvation that has come in the Christ Child!

Christmas 2025

The Christian tradition is marked by two great periods based on events in the life of Jesus. The central commemorations are related to the redemptive acts at Holy Week and Easter; the second period centers on Christmas. Christmas and Holy Week/Easter Sunday bring the same Gospel message in different ways.

The church calendar associates many meaningful and beautiful passages of Scripture with the birth of Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who came to earth as a human infant. There are numerous Old Testament prophecies from Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others. There are epistle readings such as Hebrews 1, Titus 2, and Galatians 4. And of course, there are the Gospel accounts from Matthew, Luke, and John. Each of these Gospels has its own beauty and deep significance. One can say that Matthew 1& 2 focus on Joseph's perspective, that Luke 1& 2 reflect the point of view of the Virgin Mary, and that John 1 emphasizes the timeless theological meaning. 

All these Scriptures complement one another and provide believers with a broad vista for meditating on the meaning of Christ's Birth. They help us move beyond the beautiful but simplistic imagery of a childhood pageant, and they provide deep nourishment for heart, mind, and soul. They teach us the truth that Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, "came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man" for us and for our salvation (Nicene Creed). In other words, Scripture teaches us that Christmas is about more than a family festival or the birth of a great man; it is about our eternal salvation. That spiritual reality is where we need to put our emphasis, not merely for a few moments on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, but for twelve days and more!

Alleluia. Unto us a child is born; * O come, let us adore him. Alleluia. (Christmas Antiphon for Morning Prayer, 1928 Book of Common Prayer.)

St. Thomas the Apostle

The traditional feast of St. Thomas the Apostle is on December 21, but because the 21st is the Fourth Sunday in Advent  this year, many transfer the commemoration to Monday, December 22. We tend to associate St. Thomas with the Resurrection since he confessed his faith in the risen Christ on the Sunday after Easter. Nevertheless, it is also fitting to remember Thomas before Christmas since he was a great witness to Christ's Incarnation. After doubting the Resurrection, in St. John 20:28, Thomas affirmed his faith in Jesus the Christ as "my Lord and my God." Thus, Thomas proclaimed the great truth that the man Jesus is divine. As Advent draws toward a close, let us focus on such faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son, who came to earth as a human babe.

Advent IV- Philippians 4; John 1:19-28

On this Fourth Sunday in Advent, the Epistle from Philippians 4:4-7 has a lighter tone. It exhorts us to rejoice, and it reminds us that "the Lord is at hand." Despite the serious human condition and its sinfulness, there is a true reason for joy and hope. Our joy and hope come from the peace that God offers through Jesus Christ.

The Gospel from St. John 1:19-28, like the one for last Sunday, is another Advent reference to the message of John the Baptist. When asked who he is, John refuses the usual titles. He will only admit to being "the voice of one crying in the wilderness" (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3). He makes the way ready for the Lord; he points to the One coming after him, the One who is much greater. 

John the Baptist reminds us that the way for the Messiah or Christ must be prepared. Because the One who is to come is so great and so holy, we must take His coming into our lives very seriously. Our preparations for Him should be greater than our preparations for any ordinary human guest.

Preparation is necessary, especially in spiritual matters. Thus, a genuine appreciation of Christmas requires thoughtful reflection. A religious Christmas does not happen by accident. Spiritual preparation is usually needed for a meaningful celebration of Christ's birth. We need to reflect and pray about the redemption He brings. And we should also remember that Christ continues to come to us. He comes to us each day and each week in Word and in Sacrament. He offers us His grace, mercy, and peace.

Advent III- Matthew 11:2-15

 The Gospel for the Third Sunday in Advent is from Matthew 11:2-15. In this selection, John the Baptist is in prison awaiting Herod Antipas' judgment. John sends two of his followers to meet Jesus. They ask if Jesus is the expected Messiah. 

Jesus replies to them with a two-fold proclamation. First, He points to the miraculous and redemptive acts taking place in His own ministry. These works fulfill the Messianic prophecies. Secondly, Jesus points to the purpose and value of John the Baptist's ministry. John is the prophetic forerunner of the messianic Redeemer. Finally, Jesus concludes with an exhortation. Those who have ears should hear; that means that they should be perceptive about the contemporary religious circumstances. They should realize what God is doing in the ministry of John the Baptist and in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus is the Christ who fulfills the ministry of John and all the biblical prophets. 

During Advent, we focus on the prophecies about the coming of the Christ. Among the Hebrew prophets, John the Baptist has a special role. We should honor him, but we should also look beyond him. We should look to Jesus, who gives meaning to the work of all the prophets. May we be sensitive and perceptive regarding God's redemptive work in the past and in our own lives!

Advent II- Romans 15:4; Luke 21:33- Scripture

In the Anglican tradition, the Second Sunday in Advent highlights the importance of Holy Scripture. We see this importance in two verses in the Scriptures for the day. Romans 15:4 says, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." In St. Luke 21:33, Jesus says, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." 

In theory, all Christian groups maintain that the Bible is a foundational Christian authority, but Christians from varied backgrounds view this authority in distinctive ways. Traditional Anglicans do not read or understand Holy Scripture in isolation. The Bible is our primary doctrinal and moral authority, and it contains God's self-revelation for all generations of Christians.  However, Anglicans believe that Scripture should be understood within the community of faith, the Church. Thoughtful believers from different times and backgrounds have agreed on the basics, and they have summarized Scriptural beliefs in the ancient Creeds (Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian). In the sixteenth century, Anglicans called these biblical principles "things necessary to salvation" (Article of Religion VI).

The basic and necessary teachings of the Bible are clear and are expressed in the Creeds, the Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the two greatest Sacraments (Baptism and the Eucharist). Such Scriptural teachings are good and powerful. Yet, these Biblical teachings are not magical formulae. We cannot separate Scripture from the core historic interpretations of Christ's catholic and orthodox Church. A true understanding and application of Scripture is not an isolated individual experience; it comes through divine grace and the working of the Holy Spirit in the body of believers from all times and places. 

During Advent, we think about the coming of Christ, the incarnate Word. As we reflect, let us also meditate on the written Word in Holy Scripture. May we be open to reading, hearing, and learning from God's Word in the Bible throughout Advent and all the days of our lives!