Daily readings

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Mary, Mother of God. Christmas. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationMary, Mother of God

TypeSolemnity

SeasonChristmas

Year2026 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.

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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 Thursday January 1, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Thursday January 1, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Numbers 6:22-27, psalm Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8, second reading Galatians 4:4-7,and Gospel Luke 2:16-21.

What is the Gospel for Thursday January 1, 2026?

The Gospel for Thursday January 1, 2026 is Luke 2:16-21. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Thursday January 1, 2026?

The psalm for Thursday January 1, 2026 is Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8. 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 Thursday January 1, 2026?

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

First Reading

Numbers 6:22-27

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.

6:22And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

23Say to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the children of Israel, and you shall say to them:

24The Lord bless you, and keep you.

25The Lord show his face to you, and have mercy on you.

26The Lord turn his face to you, and give you peace.

27And they shall invoke my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.

Psalm

Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

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.

67:2May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his face to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us.

3That we may know your way upon earth: your salvation in all nations.

5Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for you judgest the people with righteousness, and directest the nations upon earth.

6Let the people, O God, confess to you: let all the people give praise to you:

8may God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him.

Second Reading

Galatians 4:4-7

How to read it

This reading often teaches Christians how to live with steadiness, charity, and faith. Look for one clear encouragement or warning you can carry into the day.

4:4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:

5That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.

7Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

Gospel

Luke 2:16-21

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.

2:16And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

17And seeing, they understood of the word that had been said to them concerning this child.

18And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.

21And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

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.

First Reading

Numbers 6:22-27

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.

Psalm

Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

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.

Second Reading

Galatians 4:4-7

The second reading is usually taken from the New Testament letters or Revelation. It helps connect the day’s proclamation to Christian life in the Church.

Gospel

Luke 2:16-21

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.

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 Thursday January 1, 2026?

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.

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Friday, January 2, 2026

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.