O God, who make this most sacred season radiant with the splendor of Jesus Christ, grant, we pray, that we who have known the mysteries of His light on earth, may also delight in His gladness in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 or Colossians 3:12-17
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 (The Flight into Egypt and Return) Catholic Gallery+1
(Note: These texts follow the common lectionary used in Singaporean and global Catholic Masses.) Catholic Gallery
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, open our hearts to hear Your Word today. As we remember Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist, grant us a deeper friendship with Christ, whom he loved and faithfully followed. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast: Saint Stephen, First Martyr
Liturgical Colour: Red (Martyrdom)
Lectionary: 696 Universalis
O God,
who give joy to the world through the Savior’s coming,
grant that we may be found worthy to serve him with minds made pure*
and hearts renewed.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
O God, who were pleased that Your Word should take flesh in the poverty of the Virgin’s womb, grant, we pray, that through her intercession we may be ready for the coming in glory of Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Let us pray:
Lord our God,
you sent your messenger to prepare the way of your Son.
Grant that we who celebrate his coming may be purified by his example and ready to welcome him with joy.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joy of everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
(This is the standard Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.) Catholic Culture
Come, Lord Jesus, and help us prepare our hearts for your coming. May your Word today deepen our faith and fill us with hope, that we may welcome you more fully into our lives. Amen.
O God,
who make this holy season shine
with the grace of our Savior’s coming,
grant that we may be watchful in prayer
and open our hearts to your Word,
so that Christ may dwell in us and we may be ready
to greet him when he comes again in glory.
Amen.
O Lord, hear our prayer and let our cry come to you; deliver us from all evil and make us ready – with pure hearts and minds – to celebrate the coming feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Liturgical Season: Advent – (O Adonai)
Lectionary: Weekday of Advent (Third Week)
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous branch to David; he shall reign as king and deal wisely…”
This prophecy looks forward to the coming of Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promise to David, bringing justice, peace, and salvation to His people. Catholic Gallery
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
A prayer for the king, symbolizing Christ, that he may govern with righteousness, defend the poor, and bring peace — pointing to the reign of Christ the King. Catholic Gallery
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place… Mary was found with child through the Holy Spirit.“
This account recounts Joseph’s discovery of Mary’s pregnancy and his obedient response to God’s messenger, accepting Mary as his wife and naming the child Jesus — “He saves His people from their sins.” USCCB
Explanation: Jeremiah promises a future king from David’s line with justice and salvation for Israel. Advent draws us toward this fulfillment in Jesus Christ, our righteous King.
Application: In our own lives, we prepare for Christ’s coming by seeking justice, mercy, and peace — reflecting His reign now through our actions of love.
Explanation: The psalm reinforces the theme of Christ’s just and peaceful kingship.
Application: Pray this psalm intentionally as a daily prayer in Advent — asking God to shape your heart with His justice and peace, especially toward the vulnerable and poor.
Explanation: Joseph’s dream and obedience highlight his faith. Even in confusion and uncertainty, he trusts God and acts with righteousness.
Application: Consider where God is calling you to trust Him more deeply. Like Joseph, respond courageously to God’s invitations even when they disrupt your plans.
Here are some parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) that connect with these readings:
Christ the fulfillment of the Davidic promise: CCC 437, 497 — Jesus is the promised descendant of David who reigns forever.
Joseph’s role in salvation history: CCC 532 — The obedience of Jesus and of Mary and Joseph brings about the mystery of the Incarnation.
Justice & peace as fruits of Christ’s reign: CCC 2816 — The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
(The CCC references are general Biblical connections, not direct quotations from the readings but show how Scripture ties into Catholic teaching.) catholicstand.com
May the grace of this holy Communion bring us to the joy of Christ’s birth, that we may be found vigilant in watchful prayer and active in love of neighbor.
Amen.
Here’s where you can see the full readings online (text of Scripture and official lectionary format):
📜 Daily Mass Readings (Catholic Gallery): 18 December 2025 — Jeremiah 23:5–8; Psalm 72; Matthew 1:18–25 — https://www.catholicgallery.org/mass-reading/181225/ Catholic Gallery
📖 Gospel (USCCB Lectionary page) — Matthew 1:18–25: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121825.cfm USCCB
🕊️ Catholic.sg Mass Readings page (for daily prayer texts & local Singapore liturgical calendar): https://www.catholic.sg/mass-readings/ catholic.sg
(Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, as we gather before Your Word today,
open our hearts to hear You and to follow You faithfully.
Grant us the grace to repent and to turn to You with humble hearts,
so that we may bear fruit in Your kingdom.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us pray.
O Lord, our God,
you promised that a star shall rise from Jacob and a sceptre from Israel.
Fill our hearts with faith and hope, and help us to follow Christ your Son with humble obedience,
that we may rejoice to behold his coming in glory.
Amen.
God our Father,
You so loved the world that in your mercy you sent your Son,
to restore to us the joys of eternal life.
Grant that we who prepare in faith for the coming of your Son,
may deserve to behold him face to face,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(This prayer reflects the spirit of Advent — expectant hope in the coming of Christ.)
First Reading
📜 Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch… — the Lord’s prophet poured out his zeal for God and called Israel back to fidelity. Catholic Gallery+1
Lord our God, as we journey through Advent, calm our hearts and make them homes where Your Word can rest. Give us grace to listen, the courage to repent, and the joy to hope. Lead us toward Your Son, who comes gently yet powerfully to save. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord our God,
Renew our hearts during this season of joyful expectation.
Through Your Word, strengthen our hope, purify our desires,
and stir within us a deeper longing for Your Kingdom.
Make us attentive to Your voice today,
that we may walk faithfully in the path of Your Son.
Amen.
Father of all consolation,
You sent Your Word to heal, restore, and strengthen Your people.
As we listen to today’s readings, fill us with Advent hope,
teach us to trust Your promises,
and prepare our hearts for the coming of Your Son.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Loving and merciful God,
You sent your Son to seek the lost and bring comfort to your people. As we gather in his name this day, open our hearts to your word. Help us to prepare the way of the Lord, and to rejoice when one of your little ones is found. Grant that we may be instruments of your love and mercy, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Catholic Gallery+2Catholic Online+2
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Catholic Gallery+1
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Catholic Gallery+1
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Catholic Gallery+1
Source Links:
Daily Reading listing: [Catholic Online] (8 Dec) Catholic Online+1
First full list December 2025: Catholic Gallery Catholic Gallery+1
First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
“A shoot shall come forth from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a branch shall bear fruit. … The Spirit of the LORD shall rest on him: a spirit of wisdom and understanding … and the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Catholic Gallery+1
First Reading: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26. USCCB+2Catholic Gallery+2
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6. USCCB+2Catholic Gallery+2
Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8. USCCB+2Catholic Gallery+2
(Note: This aligns with the liturgical calendar for the First Week of Advent. USCCB+1)
First Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24 – “But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard…” Catholic Gallery+2Potty Padre+2
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Catholic Gallery+1
Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31 – Two blind men followed Jesus, calling, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”… “According to your faith let it be done to you.” ePriest+2Potty Padre+2
Source links:
– Daily readings schedule: “Download Mass Readings – December 2025” listing. Catholic Gallery
– Commentary on Gospel reading. Living Space+1
Lord our God,
Your Son came among us in humility
to serve and not to be served.
Grant that, as we prepare for His coming,
our hearts may be ready to welcome Him
with faith, repentance, and joyful expectation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.
O God,
who through the preaching of Saint Francis Xavier
won many peoples to Yourself,
grant that the hearts of the faithful
may burn with the same zeal for the faith,
and that Your Church may rejoice
to see the family of nations gathered together in Your name.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Liturgical Color: Violet
Source: Catholic.sg Mass Readings
https://www.catholic.sg/
Monday • 1st Week of Advent
According to Catholic.sg • Singapore