Sundays of Christmas

Nativity of the Lord

25 December Solemnity

Colour
White
Mass
proper
Gloria
Creed (all kneel at And was made man… (Et incarnatus…))
proper Preface and inserts for Eucharistic Prayer I
Office
EP I: proper
MP: proper, Sunday Week I
EP II: proper

Vigil Mass
Reading 1 Isa 62:1-5 The Lord takes delight in you.
Psalm Ps 88:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 I will sing for ever of your love, Lord.
Reading 2 Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 Paul's witness to Christ, the son of David
Gospel Acclamation Tomorrow there will be an end to sin in the world and the saviour of the world will be king.
Gospel Matt 1:1-25 The ancestry of Jesus Christ, the son of David.
shorter Matt 1:18-25 Mary will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus.

Midnight Mass
Reading 1 Isa 9:1-7 A son is given to us
Psalm Ps 95:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13 Today a saviour has been born to us; he is Christ the Lord.
Reading 2 Titus 2:11-14 God's grace has been revealed to the whole human race.
Gospel Acclamation Luke 2:10-11 I bring you news of great joy: today a saviour has been born to us, Christ the Lord.
Gospel Luke 2:1-14 Today a saviour has been born to us.

Dawn Mass
Reading 1 Isa 62:11-12 Look, your saviour comes.
Psalm Ps 96:1, 6, 11-12 This day new light will shine upon the earth.
Reading 2 Titus 3:4-7 It was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us.
Gospel Acclamation Luke 2: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour.
Gospel Luke 2:15-20 The shepherds found Mary and Joseph and the baby.

Mass during the Day
Reading 1 Isa 52:7-10 All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Psalm Ps 97:1, 2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6 All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Reading 2 Heb 1:1-6 God has spoken to us through his Son.
Gospel Acclamation A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord, for today a great light has shone down upon the earth.
Gospel John 1:1-18 The Word was made flesh, and lived among us.
shorter John 1:1-5, 9-14 The Word was made flesh, and lived among us.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Sunday in the Octave of Christmas Feast

  • When there is no Sunday occurring between 25 December and 1 January, this feast is celebrated on 30 December with one reading only before the Gospel.
  • An alternative set of 1st and 2nd readings and psalm for optional use in Years B and C is provided in the Lectionary.
  • Directory on Popular Piety
Colour
White
Mass
proper
Gloria
Creed (when celebrated on a Sunday)
proper Preface and Christmas insert for Eucharistic Prayer I
Office
EP I: (only on a Saturday) proper, common of Blessed Virgin Mary
MP: proper, Sunday Week I
EP II: proper, common of Blessed Virgin Mary
Year A
Reading 1 Eccl 3:2-6. 12-14 He who fears the Lord respects his parents
Psalm Ps 127:1-2, 3, 4-5 r.1 O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
Reading 2 Col 3:12-21 Family life in the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation Col 3:15. 16 May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts; let the message of Christ find a home with you.
Gospel Matt 2:13-15, 19-23 Take the child and his mother and escape into Egypt.
Year B
Reading 1 Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3 Your heir shall be your own flesh and blood.
Psalm Ps 104:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 r. 7.8 He, the Lord, is our God. He remembers his covenant for ever.
Reading 2 Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 The faith of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac
Gospel Acclamation Heb 1: 1-2 At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.
Gospel Luke 2:22-40 The child grew, filled with wisdom.
shorter Luke 2:22, 39-40 The child grew, filled with wisdom.
Year C
Reading 1 1 Sam 1:20-22, 24-28 Samuel is made over to the Lord for the whole of his life.
Psalm Ps 83:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 r.5 They are happy who dwell in your house, O Lord.
Reading 2 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 We are called God's children, and that is what we are.
Gospel Acclamation cf. Acts 16: 14 Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Gospel Luke 2:41-52 Jesus is found by his parents sitting among the doctors.

Mary, Mother of God

1 January Solemnity

Colour
White
Mass
proper
Gloria
Creed
Preface of BVM I and Christmas insert for Eucharistic Prayer I
Office
EP I: proper, common of Blessed Virgin Mary
MP: proper, Sunday Week I
EP II: proper, common of Blessed Virgin Mary
Reading 1 Num 6:22-27 They are call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them.
Psalm Ps 66: 2–3. 5. 6. 8. r. 2 O God, be gracious and bless us
Reading 2 Gal 4:4-7 God sent his Son, born of a woman.
Gospel Acclamation Heb 1: 1-2 At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.
Gospel Luke 2:16-21 They found Mary and Joseph and the baby. When the eighth day came they gave him the name Jesus.

2nd Sunday after Christmas

2 – 5 January

  • The 2nd Sunday after Christmas is celebrated on a Sunday which falls on 2 – 5 January where this is not superseded by the Epiphany of the Lord.
  • In England & Wales the 2nd Sunday after Christmas is always replaced by the Epiphany.
Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
Christmas Preface
Office
EP I: proper, Sunday Week II
MP: proper, Sunday Week II
EP II: proper, Sunday Week II
Reading 1 Eccl 24: 1–2. 8–12 The wisdom of God has pitched his tent among the chosen people.
Psalm Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 r. John 1:14 The Word was made flesh, and lived among us. or Alleluia!
Reading 2 Eph 1:3-6, 15-18 He determined that we should become his adopted sons through Jesus.
Gospel Acclamation cf. 1Tim 3:16 Glory be to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the pagans; Glory be to you, O Christ, believed in by the world.
Gospel John 1:1-18 The Word was made flesh, and live among us.
shorter John 1:1-5, 9-14 The Word was made flesh, and live among us.

The Epiphany of the Lord

6 January Solemnity

Colour
White
Vigil Mass
proper
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface and insert in Eucharistic Prayer
Mass
proper
Gloria
[Announcement of moveable feasts for year after Gospel.]
Creed
proper Preface and insert in Eucharistic Prayer
Office
EP I: proper
MP: proper, Sunday Week I
EP II: proper
Reading 1 Isa 60:1-6 Above you the glory of the Lord appears.
Psalm Ps 71:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 r. cf. 11 All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
Reading 2 Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 It has now been revealed that pagans share the same inheritance.
Gospel Acclamation Matt 2:2 We saw his star as it rose and have come to do the Lord homage.
Gospel Matt 2:1-12 We saw his star and have come to do the king homage.

Common Responsorial Psalms

Common response Today we have seen your glory, O Lord.
Common Psalm Ps 97: 1-6 r. 3 All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Epiphany
Common Psalm Ps 71: 1. 2. 7-8. 10-13 r. cf. 11 Before you all kings shall fall prostrate, all nations shall serve you.