Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church

Matthew 23:8-12
"The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord

Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, 
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, 
they made known the message 
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed 
by what had been told them by the shepherds.

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

John 1:1-18
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

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.

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Luke 2:22-35
"Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel."

Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr

Matthew 10:17-22
"For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved."

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass during the Day

John 1:1-18
    In the beginning was the Word,
        and the Word was with God,
        and the Word was God.
    He was in the beginning with God.
    All things came to be through him,
        and without him nothing came to be.
    What came to be through him was life,
        and this life was the light of the human race;
    the light shines in the darkness,
        and the darkness has not overcome it.

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent Mass in the Morning

Luke 1:67-79
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David."

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Luke 1:57-66
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Luke 1:46-56
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant."