Lectionary Texts From Christmas To Epiphany

The following are the texts suggested for the Sundays of Advent in the Revised Common Lectionary. Brief descriptions of each lesson are provided to aid in recalling the basic theme of each passage. Descriptions of each lesson are provided to aid in recalling the basic theme of each passage.

Year A (1996, 1999, etc.) SUNDAY Christmas Eve OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 9:2–7, for to us a child is born; Prince of Peace. PSALM/CANTICLE 96 EPISTLE Titus 2:11–14, God shows grace; control self as we wait for the day. GOSPEL Luke 2:1–20, birth of Jesus; shepherds and angels. SUNDAY Christmas Day OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 52:7–10, the beauty of the messenger of peace. PSALM/CANTICLE 98 EPISTLE Hebrews 1:1–4 (5–12), God who spoke now speaks through Son. GOSPEL John 1:14, Word from beginning has become flesh. SUNDAY First Sunday after Christmas OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 63:7–9, the Lord's unfailing love to God's people. PSALM/CANTICLE 148 EPISTLE Hebrews 2:10–18, Jesus became human to set us free. GOSPEL Matthew 2:13–23, escape to Egypt; death of innocents. SUNDAY New Year's Day OLD TESTAMENT Ecclesiastes 3:1–13, there is a time for everything. PSALM/CANTICLE 8 EPISTLE Revelation 3:12, the New Heaven and the New Earth; Good News in Jesus. GOSPEL Matthew 25:31–46, final judgment: the sheep and the goats. SUNDAY Second Sunday after Christmas OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 31:7–14, the joyful return of the exiles. PSALM/CANTICLE 147:12–20 EPISTLE Ephesians 1:3–14, spiritual blessings in Christ. GOSPEL John 1:1–9, 10–18, the Word became flesh. SUNDAY Epiphany OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 60:1–6, glory of God's people; all will come to them. PSALM/CANTICLE 72:1–7, 10–14 EPISTLE Ephesians 3:1–12, God's plan for Gentiles shown to Paul. GOSPEL Matthew 2:1–12, the visitors from the East. Year B (1997, 2000, etc.) SUNDAY Christmas Eve OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 9:2–7, for to us a child is born; Prince of Peace. PSALM/CANTICLE 96 EPISTLE Titus 2:11–14, God shows grace; control self as we wait for the day. GOSPEL Luke 2:1–20, birth of Jesus, shepherds and angels. SUNDAY Christmas Day OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 52:7–10, the beauty of the messenger of peace. PSALM/CANTICLE 98 EPISTLE Hebrews 1:1–4 (5–12), God who spoke speaks through Son. GOSPEL John 1:1–4, Word from beginning has become flesh SUNDAY First Sunday after Christmas OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 61:10–62:3, rejoice Jerusalem, you will be victorious. PSALM/CANTICLE 148 EPISTLE Galatians 4:4–7, God sent Christ at right; we are God's heirs. GOSPEL Luke 2:22–40, Jesus presented in the temple. SUNDAY New Year's Day OLD TESTAMENT Ecclesiastes 3:1–13, there is a time for everything. PSALM/CANTICLE 8 EPISTLE Revelation 3:1–12, the New Heaven and the New Earth; Good News in Jesus. GOSPEL Matthew 25:31–46, final judgment: the sheep and the goats. SUNDAY Second Sunday after Christmas OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 31:7–14, the joyful return of the exiles. PSALM/CANTICLE 147:12–20 EPISTLE Ephesians 1:3–14, spiritual blessings in Christ. GOSPEL John 1:1–9, 10–18, the Word became flesh. SUNDAY Epiphany OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 60:1–6, glory of God's people; all will come to them. PSALM/CANTICLE 72:1–7, 10–14 EPISTLE Ephesians 3:1–12, God's plan for Gentiles shown to Paul. GOSPEL Matthew 2:1–12, the visitors from the East. Year C (1995, 1998, 2001) SUNDAY Christmas Eve OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 9:2–7, for to us a child is born; Prince of Peace. PSALM/CANTICLE 96 EPISTLE Titus 2:11–14, God shows grace; control self as we wait for the day. GOSPEL Luke 2:1–20, birth of Jesus, shepherds and angels. SUNDAY Christmas Day OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 52:7–10, the beauty of the messenger of peace. PSALM/CANTICLE 98 EPISTLE Hebrews 1:1–4 (5–12), God who spoke speaks through Son. GOSPEL John 1:1–4, Word from beginning has become flesh. SUNDAY First Sunday after Christmas OLD TESTAMENT 1 Samuel 2:18–20, 26, the child Samuel lives in temple. PSALM/CANTICLE 148 EPISTLE Colossians 3:12–17, the life of virtue. GOSPEL Luke 2:22–40, Jesus presented in the temple. SUNDAY New Year's Day OLD TESTAMENT Ecclesiastes 3:1–13, there is a time for everything. PSALM/CANTICLE 8 EPISTLE Revelation 3:1–12, the New Heaven and the New Earth; Good News in Jesus. GOSPEL Matthew 25:31–46, final judgment: the sheep and the goats. SUNDAY Second Sunday after Christmas OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 31:7–14, the joyful return of the exiles. PSALM/CANTICLE 147:12–20 EPISTLE Ephesians 1:3–14, spiritual blessings in Christ. GOSPEL John 1:1–9, 10–18, the Word became flesh. SUNDAY Epiphany OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 60:1–6, glory of God's people; all will come to them. PSALM/CANTICLE 72:1–7, 10–14 EPISTLE Ephesians 3:1–12, God's plan for Gentiles shown to Paul. GOSPEL Matthew 2:1–12, the visitors from the East.