First Sunday of Christmas, Year B
The Sunday after Christmas Day Revised Common Lectionary, Year B, the year of Mark White and gold
Next read on .
The Gospel: Luke 2:22–40
Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus to the temple, where old Simeon and the prophet Anna recognize him as the one God promised.
What is going on
Forty days after Jesus is born, Mary and Joseph bring him to the temple in Jerusalem, as the law of Moses asks.
An old man named Simeon, who was promised he would see the Messiah before he died, takes the baby in his arms and praises God. His words are the Song of Simeon, prayed every night in Night Prayer.
An elderly prophet named Anna also sees the child, and tells everyone who is waiting for God to set things right.
Luke 2:22-40
Most churches stand for the Gospel, and sing or say a short response before and after it.
The passage
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; 32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Jesus Is Presented at the Temple, scene by scene on Free Scripture
The other readings
In the order they are read on Sunday, before the Gospel.
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
The prophet rejoices that God has clothed him in salvation like a bride or groom, and promises that Zion will shine and receive a new name.
Read it here
Chapter 61
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth produces its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring up, so the Lord the LORD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
Chapter 62
1 For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning lamp. 2 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which the LORD’s mouth will name. 3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the LORD‘s hand, and a royal diadem in your God’s hand.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Psalm 148
A song calling on everything in heaven and earth, from angels and stars to animals and people, to praise the LORD.
Read it here
1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his army! 3 Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you heavens of heavens, you waters that are above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the LORD’s name, for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He has also established them forever and ever. He has made a decree which will not pass away. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures, and all depths; 8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling his word; 9 mountains and all hills; fruit trees and all cedars; 10 wild animals and all livestock; small creatures and flying birds; 11 kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth; 12 both young men and maidens; old men and children: 13 let them praise the LORD’s name, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens. 14 He has lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a people near to him. Praise the LORD!
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Galatians 4:4-7
When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we could be adopted as God’s children and heirs.
Read it here
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. 6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
A question to carry into the week
Simeon waited his whole life for this. What have you been waiting a long time for?
For your newsletter or sermon notes
These readings are told as stories on our sister site, Free Scripture, one scene at a time in plain words. The lines below are ready to paste. The next eight Sundays, and every story.
First Sunday of Christmas · Revised Common Lectionary, Year B · the same Sunday at the Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Scripture text: World English Bible, public domain.
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org Used by permission.