[Propertalk] READINGS for the FIST SUNDAY after CHRISTMAS

[Charles Wohlers]

The following are the readings for the First Sunday after Christmas, Dec. 31, according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Canadian BAS, and the Church of England (Common Worship) lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless otherwise noted, the Canadian and Common Worship readings are identical to the RCL this Sunday. Note that the ECUSA Lectionary does not follow the RCL this Sunday.


OLD TESTAMENT:  Isaiah 61: 10 - 62: 3  (all but Roman Catholic)

Isai 61:10 (NRSV) I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, 
my whole being shall exult in my God; 
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, 
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, 
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, 
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 
11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, 
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, 
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise 
to spring up before all the nations. 
62:1 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, 
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, 
until her vindication shines out like the dawn, 
and her salvation like a burning torch. 
2 The nations shall see your vindication, 
and all the kings your glory; 
and you shall be called by a new name 
that the mouth of the LORD will give. 
3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, 
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 


Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)  3: 3 - 7, 14 - 17a  (Roman Catholic)

Sir 3:3 (NRSV) Those who honor their father atone for sins, 4 and those who respect their mother are like those who lay up treasure. 
5 Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children, 
and when they pray they will be heard. 
6 Those who respect their father will have long life, 
and those who honor their mother obey the Lord; 7 they will serve their parents as their masters. 

14 For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, 
and will be credited to you against your sins; 
15 in the day of your distress it will be remembered in your favor; 
like frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away. 
16 Whoever forsakes a father is like a blasphemer, 
and whoever angers a mother is cursed by the Lord. 
17 My child, perform your tasks with humility; 


Genesis 15: 1 - 6, 21: 1 - 3   (alt. for Roman Catholic)

Gene 15:1 (NRSV) {God's Covenant with Abram} After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." 2 But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" {Meaning of Heb uncertain} 3 And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." 4 But the word of the LORD came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir." 5 He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." 6 And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness. 

21:1 The LORD dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as he had promised. 2 Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. 


PSALM 148  (RCL)

Psal 148:1 (NRSV) Praise the LORD! 
Praise the LORD from the heavens; 
praise him in the heights! 
2 Praise him, all his angels; 
praise him, all his host! 
3 Praise him, sun and moon; 
praise him, all you shining stars! 
4 Praise him, you highest heavens, 
and you waters above the heavens! 
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, 
for he commanded and they were created. 
6 He established them forever and ever; 
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. 
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, 
you sea monsters and all deeps, 
8 fire and hail, snow and frost, 
stormy wind fulfilling his command! 
9 Mountains and all hills, 
fruit trees and all cedars! 
10 Wild animals and all cattle, 
creeping things and flying birds! 
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, 
princes and all rulers of the earth! 
12 Young men and women alike, 
old and young together! 
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, 
for his name alone is exalted; 
his glory is above earth and heaven. 
14 He has raised up a horn for his people, 
praise for all his faithful, 
for the people of Israel who are close to him. 
Praise the LORD! 

Note: vs. 1-6 are optional for C of E


147   Laudate Dominum  (ECUSA BCP)

1      Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!

2      The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.

3      He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.

4      He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.

5      Great is our Lord and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.

6      The Lord lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.

7      Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.

8      He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;

9      He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.

10  He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.

11  He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;

12  But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.

13  Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;

14  For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.

15  He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.

16  He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.

17  He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.

18  He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?

19  He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.

20  He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.

21  He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!

Note: vs. 1-12 are optional


Psalm 128  (Roman Catholic)

Psal 128:1 (NRSV) Happy is everyone who fears the LORD, 
who walks in his ways. 
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; 
you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. 
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine 
within your house; 
your children will be like olive shoots 
around your table. 
4 Thus shall the man be blessed 
who fears the LORD. 
5 The LORD bless you from Zion. 
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem 
all the days of your life. 
6 May you see your children's children. 
Peace be upon Israel! 


Psalm 105: 1 - 6, 8 - 9   (alt. for Roman Catholic)

Psal 105:1 (NRSV) O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, 
make known his deeds among the peoples. 
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; 
tell of all his wonderful works. 
3 Glory in his holy name; 
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 
4 Seek the LORD and his strength; 
seek his presence continually. 
5 Remember the wonderful works he has done, 
his miracles, and the judgments he has uttered, 
6 O offspring of his servant Abraham, 
children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 

8 He is mindful of his covenant forever, 
of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 
9 the covenant that he made with Abraham, 
his sworn promise to Isaac, 


NEW TESTAMENT:  Galatians 4: 4 - 7   (RCL)
                                     Galatians 3: 23 - 25, 4: 4 - 7  (ECUSA)

Gala 3:23 (NRSV) Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 

4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. 


Colossians 3: 12 - 17 (18 - 21)   (Roman Catholic)

Colo 3:12 (NRSV) As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. 


Hebrews 11: 8, 11 - 12, 17 - 19   (alt. for Roman Catholic)

Hebr 11:8 (NRSV) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 

11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old-and Sarah herself was barren-because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore." 

17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, 18 of whom he had been told, "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you." 19 He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead-and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 


GOSPEL:  Luke 2: 22 - 40  (RCL)
                    Luke 2: 22 (23 - 38) 39 - 40   (alt. for Roman Catholic)

Luke 2:22 (NRSV) When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Sim'eon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Sim'eon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Sim'eon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 
29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, 
according to your word; 
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles 
and for glory to your people Israel." 
33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Sim'eon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too." 
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phan'uel, of the tribe of Ash'er. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. 


John 1: 1 - 18  (ECUSA)

John 1:1 (NRSV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own,and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, "He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") 16 >From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known. 


Luke 2: 15 - 21  (C of E)

Luke 2:15 (NRSV) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 


Matthew 2: 13 - 15, 19 - 23   (Roman Catholic)

Matt 2:13 (NRSV) Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." 

19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20 "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." 21 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23 There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean." 


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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