Daily readings

Tuesday, December 29, 2026

Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr. Christmas. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationSaint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

TypeOptional Memorial

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

1 John 2:3-11

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.

3And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his commands.

4He who says that he knows him, and keepeth not his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5But he that keepeth his word, in him in very deed the charity of God is perfected; and by this we know that we are in him.

6He that says he remains in him, ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.

7Dearly beloved, I write not a new command to you, but an old command which you had from the start. The old command is the word which you have heard.

8Again a new command I write to you, which thing is true both in him and in you; because the darkness is passed, and the true light now shineth.

9He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10He that loves his brother, remains in the light, and there is no scandal in him.

11But he that hates his brother, is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not whither he goes; because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

2

Psalm

Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6

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.

Full on-site text is not available for this reference yet, so use the reference above and the official link below.

3

Gospel

Luke 2:22-35

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.

22And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:

23As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:

24And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:

25And look there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.

26And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

27And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,

28He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:

29Now you do dismiss your servant, OH Lord, according to your word in peace;

30Because my eyes have seen your salvation,

31Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:

32A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.

33And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were said concerning him.

34And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Look this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;

35And your own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

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.