First Reading

First reading

Reading from the book of Sirach 

Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise and shine, Jerusalem,
for your light has come
and the glory of the Lord dawns upon you.
See: darkness covers the earth
and thick fog envelops the peoples;
but the Lord shines upon you
and his glory is revealed in you.
The nations will walk by your light
and kings by the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around:
they all gather and come to you;
your sons come from afar, your daughters are carried in arms.
Then you will see this and radiate joy;
your heart will rejoice and expand,
when the treasures of the sea are poured out upon you
and the wealth of the nations is brought to you.
A multitude of camels and dromedaries will flood you,
from Midian and Ephah.
All from Sheba will come
bringing incense and gold
and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.

Second reading

Reading from the letter of the apostle St. Paul to the Ephesians

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

Brothers: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit. By revelation there was made known to me the mystery, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations, but is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel

Reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew

Matthew 2:1-12

Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod. Behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.