First Sunday after Christmas Day

FIRST READING

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

Verse 18. Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD — a boy wearing a linen ephod. Verse 19. Each year his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him when she went with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. Verse 20. And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD. ” Then they would go home. Verse 26. And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with man.

PSALM

Psalm 148

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places.

Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.

Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars.

Praise Him, O highest heavens, and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He gave the command and they were created.

He established them forever and ever; He issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word,

mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle, crawling creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth,

young men and maidens, old and young together.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!

SECOND READING

Colossians 3:12-17

Verse 12. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Verse 13. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Verse 14. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. Verse 15. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. Verse 16. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Verse 17. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

GOSPEL

Luke 2:41-52

Verse 41. Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. Verse 42. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast. Verse 43. When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed. Verse 44. Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends. Verse 45. When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. Verse 46. Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Verse 47. And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. Verse 48. When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” Verse 49. “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house ?” Verse 50. But they did not understand the statement He was making to them. Verse 51. Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. Verse 52. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.