The readings for the First Sunday after Christmas help remind us that the church's Christmas season is still ongoing. As Christians, we do not end the festival on December 25. Rather we continue to celebrate the good news of the Incarnation,
Isaiah 61:10–62:3 is part of one of the songs about the Servant of the Lord, interpreted by Christians as prophecies of the Messiah or Christ. This particular section rejoices at the Servant's coming in righteousness.
Psalm 111 praises God for all His works, especially for the covenant and promises of redemption.
The second reading is from Galatians 4:4-7. It might be considered St. Paul's Christmas Gospel because it refers briefly to the circumstances and meaning of Christ's Birth. In the fullness of time or at the appropriate time, God sent His Son into the world so that we might be adopted as spiritual children of God.
The Gospel from Luke 2:22-40 is the beautiful story of the Presentation of Christ and the Purification of Mary/ Of course, this passage is also read on February 2, but since that date is usually a weekday, many church members rarely hear it. There are several points of interest in the account. It shows Joseph and Mary as pious Jews determined to rear their child in accordance with the Law. The account shows Jesus fulfilling the Law from infancy onward. There are also the faithful and prophetic responses of Simeon and Anna, devout Jews awaiting the Messiah. In particular, there is the Song of Simeon, a hymn of praise filled with redemptive theology. In the Christ Child, may we all see the light of God's salvation!
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