Wednesday in Christmas

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Verse 7. For this is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations! Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’ Verse 8. Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly! Verse 9. They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” Verse 10. Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock. Verse 11. For the LORD has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the hand that had overpowered him. Verse 12. They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD — the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish. Verse 13. Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow. Verse 14. I will fill the souls of the priests abundantly, and will fill My people with My goodness,”

PSALM

Psalm 72

Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness.

May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.

May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness.

May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.

May they fear him as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains, through all generations.

May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass, like spring showers that water the earth.

May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound until the moon is no more.

May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.

May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.

May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.

For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.

He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed.

He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.

Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him; may they bless him all day long.

May there be an abundance of grain in the land; may it sway atop the hills. May its fruit trees flourish like the forests of Lebanon, the people of its cities like the grass of the field.

May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

And blessed be His glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen.

Thus conclude the prayers of David son of Jesse.

SECOND READING

John 1:(1-9), 10-18

Verse 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Verse 2. He was with God in the beginning. Verse 3. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. Verse 4. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. Verse 5. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Verse 6. There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. Verse 7. He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. Verse 8. He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. Verse 9. The true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. Verse 10. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. Verse 11. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. Verse 12. But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God — Verse 13. children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. Verse 14. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Verse 15. John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’” Verse 16. From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. Verse 17. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Verse 18. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.