Daily readings

Tuesday, December 22, 2026

Tuesday of the 4th week of Advent. Advent. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationTuesday of the 4th 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 Tuesday December 22, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Tuesday December 22, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 1 Samuel 1:24-28, psalm 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Luke 1:46-56.

What is the Gospel for Tuesday December 22, 2026?

The Gospel for Tuesday December 22, 2026 is Luke 1:46-56. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Tuesday December 22, 2026?

The psalm for Tuesday December 22, 2026 is 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd. 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 Tuesday December 22, 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

1 Samuel 1:24-28

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.

1:24And after she had weaned him, she carried him with her, with three calves, and three bushels of flour, and a bottle of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord in Silo. Now the child was as yet very young:

25And they immolated a calf, and offered the child to Heli.

26And Anna said: I beg you, my lord, as your soul liveth, my lord: I am that woman who stood before you here praying to the Lord.

27For this child did I pray, and the Lord has granted me my petition, which I asked of him.

28Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord all the days of his life, he shall be lent to the Lord. And they adored the Lord there. And Anna prayed, and said:

Psalm

1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd

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.

2:1My heart has rejoiced in the Lord, and my horn is exalted in my God: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies: because I have joyed in your salvation.

4The bow of the mighty is overcome, and the weak are girt with strength.

5Those who were full before have hired out themselves for bread: and the hungry are satisfied, so that the barren has borne many: and she that had many children is weakened.

6The Lord killeth and makes alive, he bringeth down to hell and bringeth back again.

7The Lord makes poor and makes rich, he humbleth and he exalteth.

8He raiseth up the needy from the dust, and lifteth up the poor from the dunghill: that he may sit with leaders, and hold the throne of glory. For the poles of the earth are the Lord's, and upon them he has set the world.

Gospel

Luke 1:46-56

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.

1:46And Mary said: My soul does magnify the Lord.

47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48Because he has regarded the humility of his servant; for look from now on all generations shall call me blessed.

49Because he that is mighty, has done great things to me; and holy is his name.

50And his mercy is from generation to generations, to them that fear him.

51He has showed might in his arm: he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

52He has put down the mighty from their seat, and has exalted the humble.

53He has satisfied the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent empty away.

54He has received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy:

55As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.

56And Mary abode with her about three months; and she returned to her own house.

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

1 Samuel 1:24-28

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

1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd

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

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.

Gospel

Luke 1:46-56

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 Tuesday December 22, 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.