The Daily Bible Readings for Monday, December 26, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Monday, December 26, 2022 — 2nd Day of Christmas

Psalm 148; Wisdom 4:7-15; Acts 7:59—8:8

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions

Psalm 148
Laudate Dominum

Leader: Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens;
People: praise him in the heights.

Leader: Praise him, all you angels of his;
People: praise him, all his host.

Leader: Praise him, sun and moon;
People: praise him, all you shining stars.

Leader: Praise him, heaven of heavens,
People: and you waters above the heavens.

Leader: Let them praise the Name of the LORD;
People: for he commanded, and they were created.

Leader: He made them stand fast for ever and ever;
People: he gave them a law which shall not pass away.

Leader: Praise the LORD from the earth,
People: you sea-monsters and all deeps;

Leader: Fire and hail, snow and fog,
People: tempestuous wind, doing his will;

Leader: Mountains and all hills,
People: fruit trees and all cedars;

Leader: Wild beasts and all cattle,
People: creeping things and winged birds;

Leader: Kings of the earth and all peoples,
People: princes and all rulers of the world;

Leader: Young men and maidens,
People: old and young together.

Leader: Let them praise the Name of the LORD,
People: for his Name only is exalted, his splendor is over earth and heaven.

Leader: He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants,
People: the children of Israel, a people who are near him. Hallelujah!

Lord God, we gather in Your presence to praise You with Your people, those who love You and earnestly desire to serve You every day. We confess that we have not always succeeded in our efforts to remain Your loyal and faithful servants. We have sometimes put our selfish desires first and have disregarded Your teachings. Today, we confess our sins, knowing that You will forgive us and restore our relationship with You through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray,

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Wisdom 4:7-15

(The righteous are rewarded)

7  But the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest.
8  For old age is not honored for length of time,
   or measured by number of years;
9  but understanding is gray hair for anyone,
   and a blameless life is ripe old age.

10 There were some who pleased God and were loved by
         him,
   and while living among sinners were taken up.
11 They were caught up so that evil might not change their
         understanding
   or guile deceive their souls.
12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good,
   and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.
13 Being perfected in a short time, they fulfilled long years;
14 for their souls were pleasing to the Lord,
   therefore he took them quickly from the midst of
         wickedness.
15 Yet the peoples saw and did not understand,
   or take such a thing to heart,
   that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect,
   and that he watches over his holy ones.

Acts 7:59—8:8

(Stephen is stoned to death)

7:59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died. 8:1 And Saul approved of their killing him.

Saul Persecutes the Church
That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

Philip Preaches in Samaria
4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6 The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, 7 for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Bible Readings for Monday, December 26, 2022
Psalm 148; Wisdom 4:7-15; Acts 7:59—8:8