Daily readings

Friday, December 18, 2026

Friday of the 3rd week of Advent. Advent. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationFriday of the 3rd week of Advent

TypeWeekday

SeasonAdvent

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 Friday December 18, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Friday December 18, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Jeremiah 23:5-8, psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 1:18-25.

What is the Gospel for Friday December 18, 2026?

The Gospel for Friday December 18, 2026 is Matthew 1:18-25. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Friday December 18, 2026?

The psalm for Friday December 18, 2026 is Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19. 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 Friday December 18, 2026?

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

Jeremiah 23:5-8

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.

23:5Look the days come, says the Lord, and I will raise up to David a righteous branch: and a king shall reign, and shall be wise, and shall execute judgement and righteousness in the earth.

6In those days shall Juda be saved, and Israel shall dwell confidently: and this is the name that they shall call him: the Lord our righteous one.

7Therefore look the days to come, says the Lord, and they shall say no more: The Lord liveth, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt:

8But the Lord liveth, who has brought out, and brought here the offspring of the people of Israel from the land of the north, and out of all the lands, to which I had cast them forth: and they shall dwell in their own land.

2

Psalm

Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

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.

72:1A psalm on Solomon.

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

12For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: and the needy that had no helper.

13He shall spare the poor and needy: and he shall save the souls of the poor.

18Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things.

19And blessed be the name of his majesty forever: and the whole earth shall be satisfied with his majesty. So be it. So be it.

3

Gospel

Matthew 1:18-25

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.

1:18Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.

19Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.

20But while he thought on these things, look the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.

21And she shall bring forth a son: and you shall call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins.

22Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying:

23Look a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took to him his wife.

25And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

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

Jeremiah 23:5-8

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 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

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

Matthew 1:18-25

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 Friday December 18, 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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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.