Christmas Season — Weekdays
Christmas
Documentation
Weekdays
- Advent
- Christmas
- Lent
- Easter
- Ordinary Time I [Weeks 1–5]
- Ordinary Time II [Weeks 6-10]
- Ordinary Time III [Weeks 11–15]
- Ordinary Time IV [Weeks 16–20]
- Ordinary Time V [Weeks 21–25]
- Ordinary Time VI [Weeks 26–30]
- Ordinary Time VII [Weeks 31-34]
Proper of Saints
- Solemnities
- Proper of Saints: December
- Proper of Saints: January
- National Calendar for England
- National Calendar for Wales
26 December – 1 January
Proper of Saints
- 26 December — St Stephen, the first martyr (feast)
- 27 December — St John, Apostle and Evangelist (feast)
- 28 December — The Holy Innocents (feast)
- 29 December — Fifth Day of Christmas or St Thomas Becket
- 30 December—Sixth day in the Octave of Christmas
- When there is no Sunday occuring between 25 December and 1 January, the feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on 30 December with one reading only before the Gospel.
- 31 December — Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas or St Sylvester
- 1 January — Mary, Mother of God (solemnity)
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 1 | 1 John 2: 3–11 | Anyone who loves his brother is living in the light. |
| Psalm | Ps 95:1–3. 5–6 r.11 | Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 1:14. 12 | The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. |
| Luke 2:32 | A light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel. |
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| Gospel | Luke 2:22–35 | A light to enlighten the pagans. |
| 30 December — Sixth day in the Octave of Christmas | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 2:12–17 | Anyone who does the will of God remains for ever. |
| Psalm | Ps 95: 7–10 r. 11 | Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Hebrews 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 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. |
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| Gospel | Luke 2:36–40 | She spoke of the child to all who look forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. |
| 31 December — Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 2:18–21 | You have been anointed by the Holy One and have all received the knowledge. |
| Psalm | Ps 95: 1–2 11–13 r. 11 | Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad. |
| 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. |
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| John 1: 14. 12 | The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. |
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| Gospel | John 1: 1–18 | The 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 1 | 1 John | Keep alive yourselves what you were taught in the beginning |
| Psalm | Ps 97:1–4 r.3 | All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 1: 14. 12 | The Word became flesh, and dwely among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. |
| 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 time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. |
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| Gospel | John 1:19–28 | One is coming after me who existed before me. |
| 3 January | ||
| Reading 1 | John 2:29–3:6 | Anyone who lives in God does not sin. |
| Psalm | Ps 97:1. 3–6 r.3 | All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. |
| 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. |
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| John 1: 14. 12 | The Word became flesh, and dwely among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. |
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| Gospel | John 1:29–34 | Look, there is the lamb of God. |
| 4 January | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 3:7–10 | He cannot sin when he has been begotten by God. |
| Psalm | Ps 97:1. 7–9 r.4 | All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 1: 14. 12 | The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. |
| 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 time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. |
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| Gospel | John 1:35–42 | We have found the Messiah. |
| 5 January | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 3:11–21 | We have passed out of death and into life because we love our brothers. |
| Psalm | Ps 99 r.1 | Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. |
| 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 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. |
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| Gospel | John 1:43–51 | You are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel. |
| 6 January where Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 5:5–13 | There are three witnesses: the Spirit and the water and the blood. |
| Psalm | Ps 147:12–15. 19–20 r. 12 | Praise the Lord, Jerusalem or Alleluia! |
| Gospel Acclamation | cf Mark 9:6 | The heavens opened and the Father's voice resounded: 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.' |
| Gospel | Mark 1:6–11 | You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. |
| or | Luke 3:23–38 | Genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of Adam, Son of God. |
| Shorter | Luke 3:23. 31–34. 36. 38 | Genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of Adam, Son of God. |
| 7 January where Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 5:14–21 | If we ask for anything, he will hear us. |
| Psalm | Ps 149:1–6. 9 r.4 | The Lord takes delight in his people. or Alleluia! |
| Gospel Acclamation | Luke 7:16 | A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people. |
| Gospel | John 2:1–11 | This was the first of the signs given by Jesus, at Cana in Galilee. |
Weekdays after Epiphany
Weekdays after Epiphany
- The Epiphany of the Lord
- Monday after Epiphany or 7 January
- Tuesday after Epiphany or 8 January
- Wednesday after Epiphany or 9 January
- Thursday after Epiphany or 10 January
- Friday after Epiphany or 11 January
- Saturday after Epiphany or 12 January
- Baptism of the Lord
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 1 | 1 John 3:22–4:6 | Test the spirits, to see if they come from God. |
| Psalm | Ps 2: 7–8. 10–11 r.8 | I will give you nations for your heritage. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 4:16 | The 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 4:23 | Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom and cured all kind of diseases among the people. |
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| Gospel | Matt 4:12–17. 23–25 | The kingdom of heaven is close at hand. |
| Tuesday or 8 January | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 4:7–10 | God is love. |
| Psalm | Ps 71: 1–4. 7–8 r.11 | All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 4:23 | Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom and cured all kind of diseases among the people. |
| Luke 4:18 | The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives. |
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| Gospel | Mark 6:34–44 | By multiplying the loaves Jesus shows that he is a prophet. |
| Wednesday or 9 January | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 4:11–18 | As long as we love one another God will live u s. |
| Psalm | Ps 71: 1–2. 10–13 r.11 | All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Luke 4:18 | The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives. |
| cf 1 Tim 3:16 | Glory be to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the pagans; glory be to you, O Christ, believed in by the world. |
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| Gospel | Mark 6:45–52 | They saw him walking on the lake. |
| Thursday or 10 January | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 4:19–5:4 | Anyone who loves God must also love his brother. |
| Psalm | Ps 71:1–2. 14–15. 17 r.11 | All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Luke 7:16 | A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people. |
| Luke 4:18 | The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives. |
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| Gospel | Luke 4:14–22 | This text is being fulfilled today. |
| Friday or 11 January | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 5:5–13 | The Spirit, the water and the blood. |
| Psalm | Ps 147: 12–15. 19–20 r. 12 | O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! or Alleluia! |
| Gospel Acclamation | cf 1 Tim 3:16 | Glory be to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the pagans; glory be to you, O Christ, believed in by the world. |
| Matt 4:23 | Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom and cured all kind of diseases among the people. |
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| Gospel | Luke 5:12–16 | And the leprosy left him at once. |
| Saturday or 12 January | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 John 5:14–21 | Whatever we ask, he hears us. |
| Psalm | Ps 149 1–6. 9 r. 4 | The Lord takes delight in his people. or Alleluia! |
| Gospel Acclamation | Luke 7:16 | A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people. |
| Matt 4:16 | The 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. |
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| Gospel | John 3:22–30 | The bridegroom's friend is glad when he hears the bridegroom's voice. |