Please see How to Use Lection Connection
First Reading and Psalm
- Isaiah 63:7-9
- Psalm 148
Second Reading
- Hebrews 2:10-18
Gospel
- Matthew 2:13-23
Full lections can be read here.
Based on the Readings as Set
In Isaiah’s day God’s people were under serious threat and things were not looking good. The prophet reminds them of YAHWEH’s many past kindnesses to their ancestors in words that call to mind their escape from the grasp of Pharaoh in the days of the Exodus. In so doing he emphasizes that salvation was gained, not through a mere messenger, but through God’s very Presence carrying them each step of the way. The Psalmist exhorts the inhabitants of the heavens and then the creatures of the earth, animate and inanimate alike, to praise YAHWEH as their creator. A mighty one such as this has been provided for his people! The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus, as the pioneer of our salvation, has become one of us, sharing our flesh and blood and our experience as human beings. This makes him fit to be both the sacrifice for sin and a faithful high priest to offer it on our behalf. Matthew recounts how, under the direct guidance of God’s angel each step of the way, the holy family escaped the threat of Herod’s grasp by going down to Egypt and then returning in safety to the Holy Land. He draws attention to how all this resonates with the experience of ancient Israel.
As Introductions
Old Testament
In Isaiah’s day God’s people were under serious threat and things were not looking good. The prophet reminds them of YAHWEH’s many past kindnesses to their ancestors in words that call to mind their escape from the grasp of Pharaoh in the days of the Exodus. In so doing he emphasizes that salvation was gained, not through a mere messenger, but through God’s very Presence carrying them each step of the way.
Psalm
The Psalmist exhorts the inhabitants of the heavens and then the creatures of the earth, animate and inanimate alike, to praise YAHWEH as their creator. A mighty one such as this has been provided for his people!
New Testament
The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus, as the pioneer of our salvation, has become one of us, sharing our flesh and blood and our experience as human beings. This makes him fit to be both the sacrifice for sin and a faithful high priest to offer it on our behalf.
Gospel
Matthew recounts how, under the direct guidance of God’s angel each step of the way, the holy family escaped the threat of Herod’s grasp by going down to Egypt and then returning in safety to the Holy Land. He draws attention to how all this resonates with the experience of ancient Israel.