Daily readings

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Sylvester I. Christmas. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSylvester I

TypeOptional Memorial

SeasonChristmas

Year2025 archive

The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

The on-site reading text is drawn from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday December 31, 2025?

The Catholic Mass readings for Wednesday December 31, 2025 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 1 John 2:18-21, psalm Psalm 96:1-2, 11-12, 13, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 1:1-18.

What is the Gospel for Wednesday December 31, 2025?

The Gospel for Wednesday December 31, 2025 is John 1:1-18. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Wednesday December 31, 2025?

The psalm for Wednesday December 31, 2025 is Psalm 96:1-2, 11-12, 13. It is included below in the same reading order used at Mass, between the first reading and the Gospel.

Are these the USCCB daily readings for Wednesday December 31, 2025?

The same day's Catholic readings are gathered here on-site, with the official readings link available below in the source note.

1

First Reading

1 John 2:18-21

How to approach it

Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.

2:18Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that Antichrist comes, even now there are become many Antichrists: by which we know that it is the last hour.

19They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us; but that they may be clear, that they are not all of us.

20But you have the unction from the Holy One, and know all things.

21I have not written to you as to them that know not the truth, but as to them that know it: and that no lie is of the truth.

2

Psalm

Psalm 96:1-2, 11-12, 13

How to pray it

The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.

96:1A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing you to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2Sing you to the Lord and bless his name: show forth his salvation from day to day.

11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof:

12the fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful. Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice

13before the face of the Lord, because he comes: because he comes to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

3

Gospel

John 1:1-18

What to watch for

The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.

1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2The same was in the beginning with God.

3All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made.

4In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7This man came for a witness, to give teaching of the light, that all men might believe through him.

8He was not the light, but was to give teaching of the light.

9That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that comes into this world.

10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11He came to his own, and his own received him not.

12But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name.

13Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

15John beareth witness of him, and cries out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: The one who will come after me, is preferred before me: because he was before me.

16And of his fulness we all have received, and grace for grace.

17For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18No man has seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he has told him.

How the readings move through Mass today

The Liturgy of the Word normally moves from the first reading to the psalm, then to the second reading when one is appointed, then to the Gospel, and then into the homily. On weekday Masses, the second reading is often omitted, so the Church moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

1

First Reading

1 John 2:18-21

The first reading is usually taken from the Old Testament. It prepares the heart to hear how God has been acting through his covenant and promises.

2

Psalm

Psalm 96:1-2, 11-12, 13

The psalm is the Church’s prayerful response to the first reading. It helps the congregation answer God’s word with trust, praise, repentance, or hope.

3

Second Reading

Usually omitted today

There is no second reading at many weekday Masses. On days like this, the liturgy moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

4

Gospel

John 1:1-18

The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Catholics stand because Christ himself speaks to his people in a special way through the Gospel proclamation.

5

Homily

After the Gospel

The homily follows the Gospel. It should gather the day’s readings together, explain the mystery being celebrated, and help people carry the word of God into ordinary life.

What the homily usually draws together

A Catholic homily usually gathers the first reading, the psalm, and the Gospel into one spiritual movement. It may explain how the Old Testament prepares for Christ, how the apostles witness to the risen Lord, how the psalm teaches the Church to pray, and how the Gospel calls for faith and conversion now.

If you are preparing before Mass, try to carry one sentence, one image, or one invitation from the readings with you. That usually makes the homily easier to follow because you already know what part of God's word has stayed with you.

What about the Prayers of the Faithful for Wednesday December 31, 2025?

The Prayers of the Faithful are usually written locally by a parish, diocese, or celebrant, so there is not always one universal text for this exact day. The scriptural readings above are the stable part the whole Church receives, and they usually shape the petitions that follow at Mass.

Source note

The day's references and liturgical celebration data come from the Catholic Readings API, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources so the day's readings can be read directly on the page.