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Readings
- Psalm 96
- Psalm 150
- Isaiah 49:1–18
- Matthew 1:1–17
- Large Catechism, I, 222–233
Commemoration
Today we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord. During the Season of Advent, we prepared for the coming of Christ, and, now, on the 25th of December, Christmas Day, we celebrate the birth of our Lord, God, Savior, and King. Christ’s birth was the fulfillment of part of the prophecy back in Genesis 3:15, and the promise would be completely fulfilled in Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension. In His birth, Christ humbled Himself and took on human flesh — true God became true Man. In order to save you from your sins, God did not send a mere prophet; rather, He sent His only begotten Son to take your place on the cross and die for your sins. His death is our life — what Luther called a ‘wonderful exchange’.