Daily Readings - 27/12/2026

^3:2 for the Lord honours the father in his children, and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.

^3:3 Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins,

^3:4 he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune.

^3:5 Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own, he shall be heard on the day when he prays.

^3:6 Long life comes to him who honours his father, he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord.

^3:12 My son, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life.

^3:13 Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy, do not despise him in your health and strength;

^3:14 for kindness to a father shall not be forgotten but will serve as reparation for your sins.

^127:1 If Yahweh does not build the house, in vain the masons toil; if Yahweh does not guard the city, in vain the sentries watch.

^127:2 In vain you get up earlier, and put off going to bed, sweating to make a living, since he provides for his beloved as they sleep.

^127:3 Sons are a bounty from Yahweh, he rewards with descendants:

^127:4 like the arrows in a hero’s hand are the sons you father when young.

^127:5 Happy the man who has filled his quiver with arrows of this sort; in dispute with his enemies at the gate,[*a] he will not be worsted.

^3:12 You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience.

^3:13 Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same.

^3:14 Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love.

^3:15 And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.

^3:16 Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God;

^3:17 and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

^3:18 Wives, give way to your husbands, as you should in the Lord.

^3:19 Husbands, love your wives and treat them with gentleness.

^3:20 Children, be obedient to your parents always, because that is what will please the Lord.

^3:21 Parents, never drive your children to resentment or you will make them feel frustrated.

^2:22 And when the day came for them to be purified[*d] as laid down by the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord-

^2:23 observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord[*e]-

^2:24 and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons[*f]

^2:25 Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him.

^2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord[*g]

^2:27 Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required,

^2:28 he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

^2:29 ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised;

^2:30 because my eyes have seen the salvation

^2:31 which you have prepared for all the nations to see,

^2:32 a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel’.

^2:33 As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him,

^2:34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected-

^2:35 and a sword will pierce your own soul too-so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare’.

^2:36 There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years

^2:37 before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.

^2:38 She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem[*h].

^2:39 When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

^2:40 Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.