ChristmasYear A

First Sunday after Christmas

Sunday, December 28, 2025

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Gospel

Matthew 2:13-23

1207 illustrations

LensLines™ — One Text. Seventeen Voices.

See all 54 voices →

UniversalClassic

16:1-13 anchors us in God’s character: He speaks, acts, and calls us to faithful response.

Arminian/WesleyanPastoral

Lamentations 1:1-6, God’s love meets you before you’re ready—and strengthens you to say yes.

PentecostalEdgy

12:49-56 exposes our control; the Spirit refuses to be managed—today, not someday.

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Women Named Mary

Women Named Mary Four other Marys, apart from the mother of Jesus, are mentioned in the Gospels: (1) Mary Magdalene (probably from Magdala in Galilee) was freed from demon possession by Jesus (Mark 16:9) and became a faithful follower and...

Matthew 27:55-27:61Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Biblical Profile: Herod the Great

Herod the Great Herod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea (37–4 BC) at the time of Jesus’ birth (Matt 2:1; Luke 1:5). He was a strong military leader, a brilliant politician, and a cruel tyrant.

Matthew 2:1-2:20Universalbiblical_peoplegrace

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: The Jewish High Council

The Jewish High Council The high council of Jewish aristocrats in Jerusalem was endowed with considerable power in governing the Jewish people. It is traditionally called the Sanhedrin, a transliteration of the Greek word sunedrion (“council”).

Matthew 26:57-26:68Universalbiblical_people

Movie Analogy

Philadelphia: What the Lord Requires (Micah 6:8)

In Philadelphia, Andrew Beckett—dying of AIDS, fired for his illness—hires Joe Miller, a homophobic lawyer, to fight his discrimination case. Joe must overcome his prejudice; Andrew must find dignity in dying. Both men change. Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.

Micah 6:8Universaljusticemercy

Movie Analogy

Saving Private Ryan: Here Am I, Send Me (Isaiah 6:8)

In Saving Private Ryan, Captain Miller leads his squad through hell to find one paratrooper. Every soldier asks why risk eight lives for one. But deeper, Miller goes because he was sent. Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord asking, Whom shall I send?

Isaiah 6:8Universalcallingmission

Historical

The Permanence of Christ's Word Against All Transience

Canon Liddon identified three marks of our Lord's words: the divine authority that speaks through them, their elevation above earthly discourse, and their awful depth that pierces the soul.

Matthew 24:35Universalpermanence of God's wordtransience of earthly things

Historical

Christ's Coming: Distinguishing True from False Manifestations

Christ teaches that false messiahs will arise, claiming "Lo, here is Christ" or "There!" yet believers possess sufficient tests to unmask pretenders.

Matthew 24:23-26Universaleschatologyspiritual discernment

Movie Analogy

The Visitor: I Was a Stranger (Matthew 25:35-40)

In The Visitor, Walter Vale discovers illegal immigrants living in his New York apartment. He could call ICE. Instead, he lets them stay. When Tarek is detained, Walter fights for his release. I was a stranger and you invited me in.

Matthew 25:35-40Universalstrangerhospitality

Historical

The Nature of Doubt: Philosophical, Rationalistic, and Spiritual

Joseph Exell's *Biblical Illustrator* identifies three categories of doubt worthy of pastoral attention.

Matthew 27:17Universaldoubt and certaintyreason and revelation

Historical

Winter Evenings: Testing Ground for Moral Character

The Victorian preacher recognized winter as uniquely perilous—not merely because of physical suffering, but because lengthy evenings create moral vulnerability.

Matthew 24:20Universalmoral testingtemptation and resistance

Movie Analogy

The Visitor: Entertaining Angels Unaware (Hebrews 13:2)

In The Visitor, Walter Vale—a disconnected economics professor—returns to his New York apartment to find immigrants Tarek and Zainab living there illegally. He could call the police. Instead, he lets them stay. Tarek teaches him to play the djembe drum; life enters Walter's gray existence.

Hebrews 13:2Universalhospitalitystranger

Historical

Fear Not: The Angel's Word to Seeking Hearts

Why should not the seekers of Jesus fear?

Matthew 27:6UniversalGod's comfort in fearthe power of seeking Christ

Historical

When All the Disciples Forsook Him and Fled

The Biblical Illustrator identifies four root causes of such backsliding: opposition and fear from religion's enemies; worldly conformity that erodes conviction; self-confidence in spiritual attainments; and neglect of private devotional duties.

Matthew 26:56Universalapostasy and restorationshallow versus committed faith

Historical

What Shall I Do Then with Jesus? The Question Every Soul Must Answer

Pilate acted with limited knowledge; we possess the full light of Christian revelation streaming upon that Divine face across two millennia.

Matthew 27:22Universalpersonal decision for Christlordship versus compromise

Movie Analogy

Big Fish: Loving Neighbors into Legend (Matthew 22:37-39)

In Big Fish, Edward Bloom tells fantastical stories his son Will dismisses as lies. Only at his father's deathbed does Will understand: the stories were how Edward loved—transforming ordinary people into giants, witches, and mermaids because that's how he saw them.

Matthew 22:37-39Universallovestories

Historical

The Darkness at Calvary: Shadow and Redemption

This supernatural eclipse during the crucifixion carries five profound theological meanings, as exposited by Dean Stanley and W.

Matthew 27:45Universaldivine judgmenttriumph through apparent defeat

Movie Analogy

About Time: Love God, Love Neighbor, Be Present (Matthew 22:37-39)

In About Time, Tim discovers he can travel through time. He could use this power for wealth or fame, but he learns its best use: being fully present with the people he loves.

Matthew 22:37-39Universallovepresence

Movie Analogy

The Help: The Least of These (Matthew 25:35-40)

In The Help, Skeeter Phelan writes the stories of Black maids in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi. These invisible women become visible; their humanity becomes undeniable. I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.

Matthew 25:35-40Universalservicedignity

LensLines™

Matthew 2:13-23 — Anglican (pastoral)

Matthew 2:13-23 18:1-11 comforts us: we are formed over time by faithful rhythms of grace—today, not someday.

Matthew 2:13-23AnglicanDivine ProtectionFulfillment of Prophecy

LensLines™

Matthew 2:13-23 — Universal (pastoral)

Matthew 2:13-23 50:1-8, 22-23 invites weary hearts: receive God’s promise, then take the next faithful step.

Matthew 2:13-23UniversalDivine ProtectionFulfillment of Prophecy

LensLines™

Matthew 2:1-12 — Universal (edgy)

Matthew 2:1-12 is a mirror—if it offends, it’s doing honest work—today, not someday.

Matthew 2:1-12UniversalWise MenRevelation

LensLines™

Matthew 2:13-23 — Charismatic (edgy)

Matthew 2:13-23 107:1-9, 43 confronts hype—manifestations without love are spiritual noise—today, not someday.

Matthew 2:13-23CharismaticDivine ProtectionFulfillment of Prophecy

LensLines™

Matthew 28:1-10 — Dispensational (pastoral)

Matthew 28:1-10 1:1, 10-20 invites holy urgency without panic—faithful living while we wait—today, not someday.

Matthew 28:1-10DispensationalResurrectionHope

LensLines™

Matthew 28:1-10 — Pentecostal (classic)

Matthew 28:1-10 14 expects God to act now—the Spirit empowers witness with holiness and power—today, not someday.

Matthew 28:1-10PentecostalResurrectionHope

View all 1207illustrations →

First Sunday after Christmas

Matthew 2:13-23

Biblical Profile: Women Named Mary

Other readings this Sunday

Biblical Profile: Herod the Great

Biblical Profile: The Jewish High Council

Philadelphia: What the Lord Requires (Micah 6:8)

Saving Private Ryan: Here Am I, Send Me (Isaiah 6:8)

The Permanence of Christ's Word Against All Transience

Christ's Coming: Distinguishing True from False Manifestations

The Visitor: I Was a Stranger (Matthew 25:35-40)

The Nature of Doubt: Philosophical, Rationalistic, and Spiritual

Winter Evenings: Testing Ground for Moral Character

The Visitor: Entertaining Angels Unaware (Hebrews 13:2)

Fear Not: The Angel's Word to Seeking Hearts

When All the Disciples Forsook Him and Fled

What Shall I Do Then with Jesus? The Question Every Soul Must Answer

Big Fish: Loving Neighbors into Legend (Matthew 22:37-39)

The Darkness at Calvary: Shadow and Redemption

About Time: Love God, Love Neighbor, Be Present (Matthew 22:37-39)

The Help: The Least of These (Matthew 25:35-40)

Matthew 2:13-23 — Anglican (pastoral)

Matthew 2:13-23 — Universal (pastoral)

Matthew 2:1-12 — Universal (edgy)

Matthew 2:13-23 — Charismatic (edgy)

Matthew 28:1-10 — Dispensational (pastoral)

Matthew 28:1-10 — Pentecostal (classic)