Sundays | Christmas

Nativity of the Lord

25 DecemberSolemnity

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

Mass during the Night

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

Dawn Mass

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

Mass during the Day

Reading 1Isa 52:7-10All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
PsalmPs 97:1, 2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Reading 2Heb 1:1-6God has spoken to us through his Son.
Gospel AcclamationA hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord, for today a great light has shone down upon the earth.
GospelJohn 1:1-18The Word was made flesh, and lived among us.
shorterJohn 1:1-5, 9-14The 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 1Eccl 3:2-6. 12-14He who fears the Lord respects his parents
PsalmPs 127:1-2, 3, 4-5 r.1O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
Reading 2Col 3:12-21Family life in the Lord.
Gospel AcclamationCol 3:15. 16May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts; let the message of Christ find a home with you.
GospelMatt 2:13-15, 19-23Take the child and his mother and escape into Egypt.
Year B
Reading 1Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3Your heir shall be your own flesh and blood.
PsalmPs 104:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 r. 7.8He, the Lord, is our God. He remembers his covenant for ever.
Reading 2Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19The faith of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac
Gospel AcclamationHeb 1: 1-2At 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.
GospelLuke 2:22-40The child grew, filled with wisdom.
shorterLuke 2:22, 39-40The child grew, filled with wisdom.
Year C
Reading 11 Sam 1:20-22, 24-28Samuel is made over to the Lord for the whole of his life.
PsalmPs 83:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 r.5They are happy who dwell in your house, O Lord.
Reading 21 John 3:1-2, 21-24We are called God’s children, and that is what we are.
Gospel Acclamationcf. Acts 16: 14Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
GospelLuke 2:41-52Jesus 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 1Num 6:22-27They are call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them.
PsalmPs 66: 2–3. 5. 6. 8. r. 2O God, be gracious and bless us
Reading 2Gal 4:4-7God sent his Son, born of a woman.
Gospel AcclamationHeb 1: 1-2At 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.
GospelLuke 2:16-21They 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.
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 1Eccl 24: 1–2. 8–12The wisdom of God has pitched his tent among the chosen people.
PsalmPs 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 r. John 1:14The Word was made flesh, and lived among us. or Alleluia!
Reading 2Eph 1:3-6, 15-18He determined that we should become his adopted sons through Jesus.
Gospel Acclamationcf. 1Tim 3:16Glory be to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the pagans; Glory be to you, O Christ, believed in by the world.
GospelJohn 1:1-18The Word was made flesh, and live among us.
shorterJohn 1:1-5, 9-14The Word was made flesh, and live among us.

The Epiphany of the Lord

6 January Solemnity

  • Holyday of Obligation (in England and Wales from 2018).
  • transferred to adjacent Sunday when it falls on Saturday or Monday
  • Directory on Popular Piety
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 1Isa 60:1-6Above you the glory of the Lord appears.
PsalmPs 71:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 r. cf. 11All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
Reading 2Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6It has now been revealed that pagans share the same inheritance.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 2:2We saw his star as it rose and have come to do the Lord homage.
GospelMatt 2:1-12We saw his star and have come to do the king homage.

Baptism of the Lord

Feast

Sunday between 8 January-13 January

  • Universal – when the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on Sunday 7 or 8 January the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the following Monday (8 or 9 January).
  • England and Wales – when the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on Sunday 7 January the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the following Monday (8 January).
  • An alternative set of 1st and 2nd readings and psalm for optional use in Years B and C is provided in the Lectionary.
  • When the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Monday (8 or 9 January) there is only one reading before the Gospel which may be chosen from either the 1st and 2nd readings.
Colour
White
Mass
proper
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface
Office
EP I: proper, [Epiphany]
MP: proper, Sunday Week I
EP II: proper, [Epiphany]
Year A
Reading 1Isa 42:1-4, 6-7Here is my servant in whom my servant delights.
PsalmPs 28:1-2. 3-4. 9-10 r. 11The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Reading 2Acts 10:34-38God anointed him with the Holy Spirit
Gospel AcclamationMk 9:8The heavens opened and the Father’s voice resounded: ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.
GospelMatt 3:13-17As soon as Jesus was baptised he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him.
Year B
Reading 1Isa 55:1-11Come to the water. Listen and your soul will live.
PsalmIsa 12:2-6 r. 6With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Reading 21 John 5:1-9The Spirit and water and blood.
Gospel Acclamationcf. John 1:29John saw Jesus coming towards him, and said: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
GospelMark 1:7-11You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.
Year C
Reading 1Isa 40:1-5, 9-11The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it.
PsalmPs 103:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-30 4. 1Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.
Reading 2Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7He saved us by the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 3:16Some is coming, said John, someone greater than I. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
GospelLuke 3:15-16, 21-22While Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened.

Common Responsorial Psalms

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