Weekdays | Christmas

26 December – 1 January

Proper of Saints

Christmas Day, like Easter Sunday, has an Octave, eight days of celebration until the Octave Day, 1 January, Mary, Mother of God.

The celebration of the Birth of the Lord is followed by a number of feastdays. In the Middle Ages they were given the name ‘Comites Christi’ — ‘Companions of Christ’: St Stephen, St John and the Holy Innocents, a cortege of honour for the Christ-child.

Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Preface of Christmas I–III and Christmas insert for EP I
Office
MP as on Christmas Day with proper text
EP as on Christmas Day (EPII) with proper texts
NP Sunday
29 December — Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas
Reading 11 John 2: 3–11Anyone who loves his brother is living in the light.
PsalmPs 95:1–3. 5–6 r.11Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 1:14. 12The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.
To all who received him he gave power to become children of God.
Luke 2:32A light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.
GospelLuke 2:22–35A light to enlighten the pagans.
30 December — Sixth day in the Octave of Christmas
Reading 11 John 2:12–17Anyone who does the will of God remains for ever.
PsalmPs 95: 7–10 r. 11Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
Gospel AcclamationHebrews 1: 1–2At various times in the past and in various different ways,
God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
but in our time, the last days,
he has spoken to us through his Son.
A hallowed day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, worship the Lord,
for today a great light has shone down upon the earth.
GospelLuke 2:36–40She spoke of the child to all who look forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
31 December — Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas
Reading 11 John 2:18–21You have been anointed by the Holy One and have all received the knowledge.
PsalmPs 95: 1–2 11–13 r. 11Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
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.
John 1: 14. 12The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.
To all who received him he gave power to become children of God.
GospelJohn 1: 1–18The Word was made flesh.

Weekdays before Epiphany

Proper of Saints

After the celebration of Mary, Mother of God on 1 January it is the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord which is pivotal in the organisation of the weekdays of the remainder of the Christmas Season. The Epiphany is either celebrated on 6 January or on the Sunday between 2 and 8 January. The liturgical books provide texts for both patterns. In England and Wales the Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday between 2–8 January.

Texts are provided for before and, then, after the Epiphany. The Missal texts arranged by the day of the week: Monday–Saturday. The Lectionary and the Divine Office provide material arranged by calendar date.

Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Preface of Christmas I–III
Office
Psalter Week II
MP — proper texts
EP — proper texts
2 January
Reading 11 JohnKeep alive yourselves what you were taught in the beginning
PsalmPs 97:1–4 r.3All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 1: 14. 12The Word became flesh, and dwely among us.
To all who received him he gave power to become children of God.
Heb 1:1–2At various times in the past and in various different ways,
God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
but in our time, the last days,
he has spoken to us through his Son.
GospelJohn 1:19–28One is coming after me who existed before me.
3 January
Reading 1John 2:29–3:6Anyone who lives in God does not sin.
PsalmPs 97:1. 3–6 r.3All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
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.
John 1: 14. 12The Word became flesh, and dwely among us.
To all who received him he gave power to become children of God.
GospelJohn 1:29–34Look, there is the lamb of God.
4 January
Reading 11 John 3:7–10He cannot sin when he has been begotten by God.
PsalmPs 97:1. 7–9 r.4All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 1: 14. 12The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.
To all who received him he gave power to become children of God.
Heb 1:1–2At various times in the past and in various different ways,
God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
but in our time, the last days,
he has spoken to us through his Son.
GospelJohn 1:35–42We have found the Messiah.
5 January
Reading 11 John 3:11–21We have passed out of death and into life because we love our brothers.
PsalmPs 99 r.1Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
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 time, the last days,
he has spoken to us through his Son.
A hallowed day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, worship the Lord,
for today a great light has shone down upon the earth.
GospelJohn 1:43–51You are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.
6 January where Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday
Reading 11 John 5:5–13There are three witnesses: the Spirit and the water and the blood.
PsalmPs 147:12–15. 19–20 r. 12Praise the Lord, Jerusalem
or Alleluia!
Gospel Acclamationcf Mark 9:6The heavens opened and the Father’s voice resounded:
‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’
GospelMark 1:6–11You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
orLuke 3:23–38Genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of Adam, Son of God.
ShorterLuke 3:23. 31–34. 36. 38Genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of Adam, Son of God.
7 January where Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday
Reading 11 John 5:14–21If we ask for anything, he will hear us.
PsalmPs 149:1–6. 9 r.4The Lord takes delight in his people.
or Alleluia!
Gospel AcclamationLuke 7:16A great prophet has appeared among us;
God has visited his people.
GospelJohn 2:1–11This was the first of the signs given by Jesus, at Cana in Galilee.

Weekdays after Epiphany

Following the Epiphany of the Lord the liturgical books make the following provision.

  • Missal: Texts are provided according to the day of the week. (With the exception of the Collect and the Preface the texts are the same as those given before the Epiphany.)
  • Lectionary & Divine Office: two schemes are given — days of the week where the Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday; calendar dates where it is celebrated on 6 January.

When the Epiphany is celebrated on either Sunday 7 or 8 January the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Monday (8 or 9 January. Week 1 of Ordinary Time follows the Baptism of the Lord.

Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Preface of the Epiphany of the Lord
Office
Psalter Week II
Monday or 7 January
Reading 11 John 3:22–4:6Test the spirits, to see if they come from God.
PsalmPs 2: 7–8. 10–11 r.8I will give you nations for your heritage.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 4:16The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.
Matt 4:23Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom
and cured all kind of diseases among the people.
GospelMatt 4:12–17. 23–25The kingdom of heaven is close at hand.
Tuesday or 8 January
Reading 11 John 4:7–10God is love.
PsalmPs 71: 1–4. 7–8 r.11All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 4:23Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom
and cured all kind of diseases among the people.
Luke 4:18The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives.
GospelMark 6:34–44By multiplying the loaves Jesus shows that he is a prophet.
Wednesday or 9 January
Reading 11 John 4:11–18As long as we love one another God will live u s.
PsalmPs 71: 1–2. 10–13 r.11All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 4:18The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives.
cf 1 Tim 3:16Glory be to you, O Christ,
proclaimed to the pagans;
glory be to you, O Christ,
believed in by the world.
GospelMark 6:45–52They saw him walking on the lake.
Thursday or 10 January
Reading 11 John 4:19–5:4Anyone who loves God must also love his brother.
PsalmPs 71:1–2. 14–15. 17 r.11All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 7:16A great prophet has appeared among us;
God has visited his people.
Luke 4:18The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives.
GospelLuke 4:14–22This text is being fulfilled today.
Friday or 11 January
Reading 11 John 5:5–13The Spirit, the water and the blood.
PsalmPs 147: 12–15. 19–20 r. 12O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
or Alleluia!
Gospel Acclamationcf 1 Tim 3:16Glory be to you, O Christ,
proclaimed to the pagans;
glory be to you, O Christ,
believed in by the world.
Matt 4:23Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom
and cured all kind of diseases among the people.
GospelLuke 5:12–16And the leprosy left him at once.
Saturday or 12 January
Reading 11 John 5:14–21Whatever we ask, he hears us.
PsalmPs 149 1–6. 9 r. 4The Lord takes delight in his people.
or Alleluia!
Gospel AcclamationLuke 7:16A great prophet has appeared among us;
God has visited his people.
Matt 4:16The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.
GospelJohn 3:22–30The bridegroom’s friend is glad when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.