Wednesday, December 30, 2026 · Christmas - Christmas Season
The readings keep returning to the wonder that God comes close. Stay with what Jesus says or does here, and let it ask for one honest response.
Today’s readings
First Reading
1 John 2:12-17
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, little children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Don't love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love isn't in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-isn't the Father's, but is the world's. The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10
Ascribe to the LORD, you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is also established. It can't be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.
Gospel
Luke 2:36-40
There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem. When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
A question for your journal
What would it look like to receive gentleness without rushing past it?
Scripture text: World English Bible Catholic Edition, public domain. Reading citations are prepared for Come Aside from MIT-licensed citation metadata.
Pray with the day
Keep the day with you.
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