January 6 2021

First Reading

Galatians 4: 1-11

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant,

though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of

the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of

the world: But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of

a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might

receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of

his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but

a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Howbeit then, when ye knew not

God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have

known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly

elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months,

and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Second Reading

1 John 4: 9-21

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only

begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we

loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God

at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his

Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of

the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him,

and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is

love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love

made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so

are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because

fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he

first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that

loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not

seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his

brother also.

Gospel

Luke 2: 1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus,

that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was

governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the

city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage

of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it

was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be

delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling

clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And

there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their

flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord

shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear

not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For

unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this

shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a

manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will

toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,

the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this

thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came

with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they

had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this

child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the

shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the

shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard

and seen, as it was told unto them.