HOLY MASS READINGS FOR DECEMBER 29, 2024

Sunday, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (White)

LH: Office of the Feast

Mass of the Feast, Gloria, Creed

Preface of the Nativity

FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of 1 Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20-22,24-28)

And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.” And the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the Lord, and abide there for ever.” And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine; and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was young. Then they slew the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, “Oh, my Lord! As you live, my Lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition which I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.

The word of the Lord.

or

FIRST READING
“He who fears the Lord honours his parents. ”
A reading from the Book of Sirach (Sirach 3:2-6.12-14)

The Lord honoured the father above the children, and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons. Whoever honours his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure. Whoever honours his father will be gladdened by his own children, and when he prays he will be heard. Whoever glorifies his father will have long life, and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother. O son, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives; even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance; and do not despise him all the days of his life. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you a house raised in justice to you.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 

Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-11 (R 5a)

R/. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of host.
My soul is longing and yearning
for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my flesh cry out
to the living God. R/.

Blessed are they who dwell in your house,
for ever singing your praise.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in you,
whose heart is set on pilgrim ways. R/.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob.
Turn your eyes, O God, our shield;
look on the face of your anointed. R/.

One day within your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.
The threshold of the house of God
I prefer to dwellings of the wicked. R/.

SECOND READING
Concerning the Christian life in the family.
A reading from the book of 1 John (1 John 3:1-2, 21-24)

Beloved: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the spirit which he has given us.

The word of the Lord.

OR

SECOND READING
Concerning the Christian life in the family.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 3:12-21)

Brethren: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And over all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 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. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

The word of the Lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. 

Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may give heed to the words of your Son.

Alleluia.

GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2:41-52)

The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.

The Gospel of the Lord.