READINGS for CHRISTMAS DAY (I)

The following are the readings for Christmas Day, Proper I, according to
the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Canadian and
Church of England Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised
Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. The Canadian and C of E lectionaries
are identical to the RCL for this day.

The Readings for Christmas Vigil according to the Roman Catholic
lectionary are also given here. The Christmas Night readings for the Roman Catholic
lectionary correspond to the Proper I readings, except as noted.

READINGS for CHRISTMAS VIGIL, following the Roman Catholic Lectionary

OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 62: 1 - 5

Isai 62:1 (NRSV) 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.
4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
5 For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.

PSALM 89: 3 - 4, 15 - 16, 26, 28 (Roman Catholic)

Psal 89:1 (NRSV) 3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to my servant David:
4 "I will establish your descendants forever,
and build your throne for all generations.' " [Selah]

15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance;
16 they exult in your name all day long,
and extol {Cn: Heb [are exalted in] } your righteousness.

26 He shall cry to me, "You are my Father,
my God, and the Rock of my salvation!'
28 Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him,
and my covenant with him will stand firm.

Note: Verse numbering is one higher in Roman Catholic bibles.

NEW TESTAMENT: Acts 13: 16 - 17, 22 - 25

Acts 13:16 (NRSV) So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:
"You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this
people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in
the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.

22 When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony
about him he said, "I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my
heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' 23 Of this man's posterity God has
brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; 24 before his coming
John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of
Israel.
25 And as John was finishing his work, he said, "What do you suppose that
I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie
the thong of the sandals on his feet.'

GOSPEL: Matthew 1: (1 - 17) 18 - 25

Matt 1:1 (NRSV) An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son
of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Per'ez and
Ze'rah by Ta'mar, and Per'ez the father of Hez'ron, and Hez'ron the father
of Ar'am, 4 and Ar'am the father of Amin'adab, and Amin'adab the father of
Nah'shon, and Nah'shon the father of Sal'mon, 5 and Sal'mon the father of
Bo'az by Ra'hab, and Bo'az the father of O'bed by Ruth, and O'bed the
father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uri'ah, 7 and Solomon
the father of Rehobo'am, and Rehobo'am the father of Abi'jah, and Abi'jah the
father of A'saph, 8 and A'saph the father of Jehosh'aphat, and
Jehosh'aphat the father of Jo'ram, and Jo'ram the father of Uzzi'ah, 9 and Uzzi'ah the
father of Jo'tham, and Jo'tham the father of A'haz, and A'haz the father
of Hezeki'ah, 10 and Hezeki'ah the father of Manas'seh, and Manas'seh the
father of A'mos, and A'mos the father of Josi'ah, 11 and Josi'ah the
father of Jechoni'ah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoni'ah was the father of
Sala'thiel, and Sala'thiel the father of Zerub'babel, 13 and Zerub'babel
the father of Abi'ud, and Abi'ud the father of Eli'akim, and Eli'akim the
father of A'zor, 14 and A'zor the father of Za'dok, and Za'dok the father of
A'chim, and A'chim the father of Eli'ud, 15 and Eli'ud the father of
Elea'zar, and Elea'zar the father of Mat'than, and Mat'than the father of
Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom
Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations;
and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and
from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his
mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together,
she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph,
being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace,
planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do
this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of
David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived
in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to
name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took
place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emman'uel," which means, "God is with us." 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as
the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had
no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him
Jesus.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

READINGS for PROPER I

OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 9: 2 - 7 (RCL, Roman Catholic)
Isaiah 9: 2 - 4, 6 - 7 (ECUSA)

Isai 9:2 (NRSV) {Ch 9.1 in Heb} The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Mid'ian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Note: the verse numbering used by the Roman Catholic lectionary & Bible is
different - verses are numbered 1 less than in the NRSV.


PSAM 96 (RCL)
Psalm 96: 1 - 4, (5 - 10) 11 - 12 (13) (ECUSA)

Psal 96:1 (NRSV) O sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, "The LORD is king!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity."
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the LORD; for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.


NEW TESTAMENT: Titus 2: 11 - 14 (all)

Titu 2:11 (NRSV) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to
all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the
present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13
while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of
our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us
that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of
his own who are zealous for good deeds.

GOSPEL: Luke 2: 1 - 14 (15 - 20) (RCL, ECUSA)
Luke 2: 1 - 14 (Roman Catholic)

Luke 2:1 (NRSV) In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that
all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and
was taken while Quirin'ius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own
towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was
descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered
with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While
they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him
in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch
over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good
news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the
city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign
for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
15 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.

**************

The following are the readings for Christmas Day, Proper II, according to
the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Canadian and
Church of England Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New
Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. The Canadian and C of E lectionaries
are identical to the RCL for this day.

The Christmas Dawn readings for the Roman Catholic lectionary correspond
to the Proper II readings, except as noted.


OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 62: 6 - 12 (RCL)
Isaiah 62: 6 - 7, 10 - 12 (ECUSA)
Isaiah 62: 11 - 12 (Roman Catholic)

Isai 62:6 (NRSV) Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have posted sentinels;
all day and all night
they shall never be silent.
You who remind the LORD,
take no rest,
7 and give him no rest
until he establishes Jerusalem
and makes it renowned throughout the earth.
8 The LORD has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
I will not again give your grain
to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink the wine
for which you have labored;
9 but those who garner it shall eat it
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather it shall drink it
in my holy courts.
10 Go through, go through the gates,
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway,
clear it of stones,
lift up an ensign over the peoples.
11 The LORD has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to daughter Zion,
"See, your salvation comes;
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him."
12 They shall be called, "The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the LORD";
and you shall be called, "Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken."


PSALM 97 (RCL)
Psalm 97: 1 - 4 (5 - 10) 11 - 12 (ECUSA)
Psalm 97: 1, 6, 11 - 12 (Roman Catohlic)

Psal 97:1 (NRSV) The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him,
and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
and all the peoples behold his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
those who make their boast in worthless idols;
all gods bow down before him.
8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the towns of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O God.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful;
he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light dawns for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!


NEW TESTAMENT: Titus 3: 4 - 7 (all)

Titu 3:4 (NRSV) But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our
Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we
had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly
through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we
might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

GOSPEL: Luke 2: (1 - 7) 8 - 20 (RCL)
Luke 2: (1 - 14) 15 - 20 (ECUSA)
Luke 2: 15 - 20 (Roman Catholic)

Luke 2:1 (NRSV) In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that
all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and
was taken while Quirin'ius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own
towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was
descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered
with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While
they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him
in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch
over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good
news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the
city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign
for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
15 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.