For
the January 3 readings, there are 2 options. The first set of
readings are for those parishes that observe the optional memorial of
The Most Holy Name of Jesus. The second set of readings are the
Christmas Weekday readings.
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| "The Vision of Saint Joseph" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Philippians
2: 5 - 11
5
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with
God a thing to be grasped,
7
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the
likeness of men.
8
And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient
unto death, even death on a cross.
9
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on
earth and under the earth,
11
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.
PSALM:
Psalms 113:
1 - 8
1
Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of
the LORD!
2
Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for
evermore!
3
From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to
be praised!
4
The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!
5
Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
6
who looks far down upon the heavens and the earth?
7
He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash
heap,
8
to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 1:
18 - 23
18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother
Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was
found to be with child of the Holy Spirit;
19
and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to
shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20
But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to
him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to
take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Spirit;
21
she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will
save his people from their sins."
22
All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the
prophet:
23
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name
shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us).
Or
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| "Saint John the Baptist Sees Jesus from Afar" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: 1 John
2: 29 - 3:
6
29
If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that every one who
does right is born of him.
1
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called
children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not
know us is that it did not know him.
2
Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we
shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for
we shall see him as he is.
3
And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4
Every one who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is
lawlessness.
5
You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no
sin.
6
No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or
known him.
PSALM:
Psalms 98:
1, 3 - 6
1
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His
right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
3
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of
Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into
joyous song and sing praises!
5
Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound
of melody!
6
With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before
the King, the LORD!
GOSPEL:
John 1:
29 - 34
29
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30
This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me,
for he was before me.'
31
I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water,
that he might be revealed to Israel."
32
And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from
heaven, and it remained on him.
33
I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water
said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this
is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
34
And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
