12.26.2021

 Today's Bible story *

December 26, 2021

Have a good day!

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Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

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Gospel : Luke 2:41-52

41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,

43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it,

44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him amongst their relatives and acquaintances.

45 When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.

47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."

49 He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"

50 They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

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Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

2 For the Lord has given the father glory as touching the children,
And has confirmed the judgement of the mother as touching the sons.

3 He that honours his father shall make atonement for sins:

4 And he that gives glory to his mother is as one that lays up treasure.

5 Whoso honours his father shall have joy of his children;
And in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.

6 He that gives glory to his father shall have length of days;
And he that hearkens to the Lord shall bring rest to his mother,

12 My son, help your father in his old age;
And grieve him not as long as he lives.

13 And if he fails in understanding, have patience with him;
And dishonour him not while you are in your full strength.

14 For the relieving of your father shall not be forgotten:
And instead of sins it shall be added to build you up.

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OR

1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28

20 When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of the LORD."

21 The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22 But Hannah didn't go up; for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and stay there forever."

24 When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the LORD's house in Shiloh. The child was young.

25 They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.

26 She said, "Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD.

27 I prayed for this child; and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of him.

28 Therefore I have also given him to the LORD. As long as he lives he is given to the LORD." He worshipped the LORD there.

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Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17

12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.

18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.

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OR

1 John 3:1-2, 21-24

1 See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.

21 Beloved, if our hearts don't condemn us, we have boldness towards God;

22 and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded.

24 He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

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* The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ December 26, 2021 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/2021-12-26-usccb-daily-mass-readings

◇ Daily Readings December 26, 2021
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122621.cfm

◇ Abiding Radio Instrumental
https://www.abidingradio.org/radio/instrumental

◇ Today's Bible Story
http://todaysbiblestory.seesaa.net/

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