Friday, December 25, 2026 — The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
The Word became flesh
John 1:1-18
Readings of the day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18.
The Gospel
Today’s Gospel is John’s prologue: before all things the Word already was, with God and God himself. Through him all things were made; in him was life, and that life was the light of men, shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John the Baptist came as a witness to the light, so that all might believe through him; he was not the light, only its witness. The true light came into the world, but the world did not know him, and his own did not receive him. To all who did receive him he gave power to become children of God, born not of blood nor of human will, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Reflection
Christmas is not only a birth; it is a birth that remakes our own. “God’s own Son was made the son of man, that he might make the sons of men the sons of God,” says St. Chrysostom. The Word did not change into flesh; he took flesh upon himself, remaining what he was, so that we might become what we were not. “O amazing goodness!” cries St. Augustine. “He was born the Only Son, yet would not remain so; but grudged not to admit joint heirs to His inheritance.” The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Receive him today, and receive with him the power to become a child of God.
From the Fathers
“God's own Son was made the son of man, that he might make the sons of men the sons of God.”
— St. John Chrysostom, Homily 11 on John, in the Catena Aurea on John 1:14
“O amazing goodness! He was born the Only Son, yet would not remain so; but grudged not to admit joint heirs to His inheritance.”
— St. Augustine, Tractate 2 on John, in the Catena Aurea on John 1:12–13
Saint of the day
The Nativity of the Lord. Today the Church celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word made flesh in Bethlehem, the light that shines in the darkness and the glory of God full of grace and truth. Saint Anastasia, virgin and martyr, is also commemorated at the Mass at Dawn.
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Sources: the day’s readings follow the daily lectionary (USCCB, Lectionary 16). This post follows the Mass during the Day. Christmas has four Masses: the Vigil, the Mass at Midnight, the Mass at Dawn, and the Mass during the Day; each has its own readings. The Gospel text is not reproduced here; read it at the link above. Patristic quotes: Catena Aurea on John 1:1–18, compiled by St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by John Henry Newman (1841, public domain).