The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Reading 1 1 John 2:12-17
I am writing to you, children,
because your sins have been forgiven for his name's sake.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have conquered the Evil One.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong and the word of God remains in you,
and you have conquered the Evil One.
Do not love the world or the things of the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life,
is not from the Father but is from the world.
Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.
But whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts;
worship the LORD in holy attire.
Tremble before him, all the earth.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
Today a great light has come upon the earth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Luke 2:36-40
There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
December 30, 2025 // Sixth Day in Octave of Christmas
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: 1 John 2:12-17
I remember being mesmerized by the colorful twinkle lights on my family’s Christmas tree when I was a little girl. There’d be classic Christmas songs playing in the background, little silver bells ringing on our tree, and my mom making cookies. Meanwhile, I would lay underneath the tree and look up at all the lights and ornaments. Ever since then, there has always been something so beautiful to me about twinkle lights at Christmas time.
Sometimes, Advent (which we just finished) and Christmas are really some of the most wonderful times of the year. Other times, for many, it’s such a difficult season that might feel more like Lent, or even Holy Saturday, where you’re waiting and aching and praying, but still hurting. And that’s when I’m reminded that all the beauty in the decorations of this season isn’t for itself, looks, or just joy for joy’s sake, but it’s ultimately to console and bring lasting, true joy reminding us of the One Who came on Christmas Day.
Maybe this time of year brings up the nostalgia of a beautiful memory with your loved ones. In which case, it gives us a chance to thank God for them.
Maybe it brings up a yearning for something that we hope will be fulfilled. In which case, we have an opportunity to look back at the promises God has already fulfilled throughout history and be renewed with hope.
In either case, the “things of the world” that Saint John writes about in today’s First Reading (1 John 2:15) are all things that hopefully can lead us closer to the Lord if we see Him in them—rather than seeing them apart from Him. If we love Him more than them.
The One Who has come and is near right now created all these things that may bring you joy and consolation throughout this season. Let’s thank Him and enjoy them with His presence in mind.
Relate to the Lord // How can you make thanksgiving a part of your Christmas season? Start today by making a list of God’s graces and blessings in your life.
Annie Deddens is a writer and producer. She runs a prayer ministry with her husband, called Pray More Novenas. She has a heart for the sick & suffering, and she writes about living with greater faith (hope & love, too) in this imperfect world as a Catholic wife on her blog, Catholic Wife, Catholic Life. Find out more about her here.
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