Daily readings

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Epiphany. Christmas. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationEpiphany

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.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

On-site scripture text: Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. 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.

1

First Reading

Isaiah 60:1-6

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.

1Arise, be enlightened, OH Jerusalem: for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

2For look darkness shall cover the earth, and a mist the people: but the Lord shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you.

3And the Gentiles shall walk in your light, and kings in the brightness of your rising.

4Lift up your eyes round about, and see: all these are gathered together, they are come to you: your sons shah come from afar, and your daughters shall rise up at your side.

5Then shall you see, and abound, and your heart shall wonder and be enlarged, when the crowd of the sea shall be converted to you, the. strength of the Gentiles shall come to you.

6The crowd of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Madian and Epha: all they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense: and shewing forth praise to the Lord.

2

Psalm

Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 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.

1A psalm on Solomon.

2Give to the king your judgment, OH God: and to the king's son your righteousness: To judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with judgment.

7In his days shall righteousness spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken sway.

8And he shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.

10The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts:

11And all kings of the earth shall adore him: all nations shall serve him.

3

Second Reading

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

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.

5Which in other generations was not known to the people, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit:

6That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and co-partners of his promise in Christ Jesus, by the gospel:

4

Gospel

Matthew 2:1-12

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.

1When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, look, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.

2Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him.

3And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4And assembling together all the chief priests and the teachers of the law of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.

5But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:

6And you Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the leaders of Juda: for out of you shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.

7Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them;

8And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come to adore him.

9Who having heard the king, went their way; and look the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.

10And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.

Source note

This page uses the Catholic Readings API for the day's references and liturgical celebration data, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible distributed through the Open Bibles project.