This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, December 25th is from Luke 2:1-14.
“The angel of the Lord said. . .
‘Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.’
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
‘Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on
whom his favor rests.’”
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22
Saint Stephen, The First Martyr (Feast) – “Stephen is the first-named among the seven deacons chosen by the twelve apostles to minister to Greek-speaking Christians in Jerusalem. He is the first recorded martyr of the New Testament and patron saint of deacons.”
Tuesday 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1a & 2-8
Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (Feast) – “Like Peter, John and his brother James (the sons of Zebedee) were called from their fishing business to follow Jesus. John has been traditionally identified as the author of the fourth gospel, the Book of Revelation, the three letters that bear his name, and as the “Beloved Disciple.”
Wednesday 1 John 1:5—2:2; Matthew 2:13-18
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (Feast) – “Today’s feast commemorates the male children slain instead of Jesus by King Herod in his desire to eliminate the newborn king.”
Thursday 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35
Friday Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (Feast) – “It is a feast that seeks to portray the Holy Family of Nazareth as the “true model of life” from which our families can draw inspiration and know where to find help and comfort.”
Saturday 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18
SOURCE: Living With Christ, December 2022 and www.vaticannews.va