Skip to content
God's MapOpen the map

Gospel for the The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas): Mass during the Day

December 25, 2026 · John 1:1-18

The Word became flesh

It is Christmas! We celebrate that the Son of God was born and became man, to dwell among us. John 1:1-18

Liturgical color: white

This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words

In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

All things came to be through him. John 1:3

In him was life, and this life was the light of the human race. The light shines in the darkness. John 1:4-5

God sent John as a witness to the light. John was not the light. John 1:6-8

The Word was the true light, which enlightens everyone. He was in the world, and the world did not know him. John 1:9-10

He came to his own, and his own people did not accept him. John 1:11

To those who accepted him and believe in him, he gave power to become children of God. John 1:12

The Word became flesh, that is, he became man, and made his dwelling among us. John 1:14

The evangelist says that they saw his glory, the glory of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

John the Baptist testified to him: the one coming after him existed before him. John 1:15

From his fullness we have all received grace. The Law came through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. John 1:18

What the Bible says

John 1:1-18

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. 9That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. 13Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15John beareth witness of him, and crieth out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: He that shall come after me, is preferred before me: because he was before me. 16And of his fulness we all have received, and grace for grace. 17For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The other readings at Mass

First Reading

How beautiful are the feet of the messenger who announces peace. All the nations will see the salvation of God. Isaiah 52:7-10

Responsorial Psalm

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Let us sing a new song to the Lord. Psalm 98:1-6

Second Reading

In the past God spoke through the prophets. Now he has spoken to us through his Son, through whom he created the world. Hebrews 1:1-6

The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org

What the Church teaches

The Incarnation

The Church calls it the Incarnation: the Son of God took on a human nature to save us.

Catechism 461

The mystery of Christmas

Jesus was born in the humility of a stable, into a poor family. Some shepherds were the first witnesses.

Catechism 525

The color white

In the Christmas season the priest wears white.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal 346

To read with your children

The Son of God became a man like us. John 1:14

Jesus is the light that shines on everyone. John 1:9

His light shines even when everything is dark. John 1:5

Those who believe in him are children of God. John 1:12

Merry Christmas! What gift will you give Jesus today?

To talk about as a family

  1. God became small to be with us. What does that tell us about how much he loves us?
  2. Jesus is the light. To whom can we bring a little light during these holidays?
  3. For the child: what would you say to the Baby Jesus in the manger?

This week

During these days of Christmas, pray together in front of the Nativity scene in your home. Visit or call someone who is alone.

To pray

Baby Jesus, you are the light of the world, and you came to live among us. Stay in our home and fill our hearts with your peace. Amen.

Who is in it?