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Matthew 1:18-25 Sermon Commentary
Advent 4A
We don’t know much about Joseph but what we do know is of pretty good quality. Even in our passage this week—where Joseph doesn’t even utter a word—we are given a number of positive characteristics to understand what kind of person Joseph is. Joseph is righteous; he also is not one to bear a grudge….
Isaiah 7:10-16 Sermon Commentary
Advent 4A
Backs Against the Wall The text of Isaiah 7:10-16 (well, really, verse 14) is embedded in the Christian imagination as a prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ from the Virgin Mary. But, before it served that purpose, it had another. Taking in the context of the first 9 verses of chapter 7, here’s the…
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Sermon Commentary
Advent 4A
Since I have been writing the Psalm sermon commentary for quite a few years now, I find that it seems like I have to write something for Psalm 80 every year. There’s a reason for that feeling: I have been writing on Psalm 80 every year during Advent because the Lectionary assigns it in Years…
Romans 1:1-7 Sermon Commentary
Advent 4A
When I read this Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson, I think of the English Standard Version’s translation of John 1:16: “From [Christ’s) fullness we have all received grace upon grace” (italics mine). Since Paul layers Romans 1 with grace upon grace in both obvious and subtle ways, it offers preachers an opportunity to explore how God’s grace…
Commentary posted on December 15, 2025
Advent 4A Sermon Commentary
The Advent 4A Sermon Commentaries include reflection and illustration ideas for Matthew 1:18-25 from the Lectionary Gospel; Isaiah 7:10-16 from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 80:1-7,17-19 from the Lectionary Psalms; and Romans 1:1-7 from the Lectionary Epistle.
Related Reformed confession: Old Testament Lectionary: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 29 (Lord’s Day 11)