Christmas Weekday on January 4

• First Reading – 1 John 3:7-10: True righteousness reflects God’s nature, contrasting with sin aligning with the Devil. Christ came to destroy the Devil’s works. God’s children, born of His essence, don’t persist in sin.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 98: The entire world, its seas, rivers, and mountains celebrate God’s extraordinary acts and victory. His coming to rule the earth promises justice and fairness for all nations.
• Gospel – John 1:35-42: John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, leading two of his disciples to follow Jesus. Curious, they asked Jesus where He stayed, and He invited them to join Him. Among them was Andrew, who, convinced of Jesus’ messianic identity, eagerly informed his brother Simon. Introducing Simon to Jesus, Jesus named him Cephas (Peter), signifying the beginning of their journey as His disciples.

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?”

John 1:38

On a Christmas Weekday on January 4, the readings offer themes that help us understand who Jesus is and how we are called to follow him. These themes reveal God’s love and our call to live as children of God. Each one encourages us to deepen our faith in Jesus and reflect on his presence in our lives.

• Living as God’s Children: The first reading calls believers to live righteously as God’s children. This theme reminds us that our actions show our relationship with God and help us reflect his goodness.
• Recognizing Jesus: In the Gospel, John the Baptist points out Jesus as the Lamb of God. This theme invites us to recognize Jesus’ role in our lives and the gift of salvation he brings.
• Invitation to Follow: When John’s disciples hear him speak about Jesus, they choose to follow Jesus. This theme shows the importance of responding to Jesus’ invitation and being open to his call in our lives.
• Seeking to Know Christ: Andrew and the other disciple spend time with Jesus to learn more about him. This theme highlights the importance of spending time with Jesus to understand his message and deepen our faith.
• Sharing the Good News: After meeting Jesus, Andrew tells his brother Simon about him. This theme reflects the call to share our faith with others and bring them closer to Jesus.
• Becoming New in Christ: Jesus gives Simon a new name, Peter, which signifies a new mission. This theme reminds us that Jesus can transform our lives and give us new purpose.

On a Christmas Weekday on January 4, these themes remind us of our call to follow Jesus and live as his disciples. They help us see the ways Jesus draws us closer to himself and encourages us to share his love with others.

A Christmas Weekday on January 4 offers us a time to reflect on our relationship with God and what it means to live as His children. The readings invite us to recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God, to live in ways that reflect our identity as His children, and to share His message of hope with others. These reflections encourage us to consider how closely we follow God’s teachings, how we can share our faith, and how deeply we embrace Jesus as our Savior.

Living as Children of God

On a Christmas Weekday on January 4, the readings remind us of the call to live as children of God. In the first reading, John emphasizes that those who belong to God should live in ways that reflect His values. Choosing honesty, kindness, and respect in our daily lives shows others that we are committed to God’s path. Simple choices each day—speaking truthfully, showing kindness to others, and respecting those around us—demonstrate that we are part of God’s family.

Living as God’s children also involves a commitment to do good and avoid sin. It means standing by what is right, even when it’s challenging or when it goes against what is popular. Our actions should show the same love and goodness that God shows to us. Each decision can be an opportunity to choose God’s way. When we live in line with God’s teachings, we are a reflection of His light for others.

Being a child of God is not about perfection but about direction. It’s about choosing, each day, to follow God and reflect His love. When we fall short, we turn back to Him and continue the journey. Living as children of God is a lifelong path, and each day brings fresh chances to walk it with honesty, kindness, and love.

Sharing the Good News

In the Gospel for a Christmas Weekday on January 4, we see Andrew meet Jesus and then quickly share this discovery with his brother. Andrew is so moved by his encounter with Jesus that he wants his brother to know Him, too. This moment is a reminder of the natural desire to share good things, especially the message of Jesus. Sharing our faith with others can be simple yet powerful, as we invite those close to us to explore the hope and purpose we find in Jesus.

Andrew’s eagerness shows us that faith is something meant to be shared, not kept hidden. When we are touched by God’s love or discover His truth, telling others allows them to experience it too. Whether through small conversations, acts of kindness, or simply being a good example, we share our faith in ways that can deeply impact others. Like Andrew, our sharing could be the first step for someone else to know Jesus.

Sharing the Good News doesn’t require us to have all the answers. Instead, it’s about inviting others to experience the joy and peace that come from knowing Jesus. Through this simple act of sharing, we live out our faith and help bring others closer to God’s love.

Recognizing Jesus as the Lamb of God

A Christmas Weekday on January 4 invites us to focus on Jesus as the Lamb of God. When John the Baptist sees Jesus, he calls Him the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the world’s sins. This image reminds us of Jesus’ purpose and mission: to save humanity from sin. Seeing Jesus as the Lamb of God means recognizing Him as our Savior, the one who brings us close to God and offers us forgiveness and hope.

The idea of Jesus as the Lamb of God also connects to the idea of sacrifice. In the Old Testament, lambs were often sacrificed as a symbol of repentance and cleansing. Jesus, as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, offers Himself completely for us. His willingness to lay down His life shows the depth of God’s love and His desire to bring us back to Him. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of Jesus’ mission and what it means for each of us.

When we recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God, we see Him as the one who saves, heals, and renews us. This recognition calls us to live with gratitude, knowing that Jesus’ sacrifice is a gift. By embracing Him as the Lamb of God, we remember that He is not just a teacher or leader but our Savior, who gives us new life and purpose.

---

On this Christmas Weekday on January 4, we are reminded of the daily journey of faith we are called to walk. The readings encourage us to live honestly, share our faith with others, and to keep our hearts close to Jesus. May these reflections inspire us to take steps each day to live as true children of God, sharing His love and following Him with all our hearts.

Prayer

Lord, help us to follow you with all that we are. Guide us to live as true children of God, loving others and staying close to Jesus. May our words and actions bring others closer to You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I live more like a child of God in my choices and actions each day?
• In what ways can I share my faith in Jesus with those around me?
• What does it mean to me to recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God?
• How can I find simple moments to draw closer to God throughout my daily routine?

USCCB Reflection: Incarnation and New Beginnings

This USCCB video reflection for a Christmas weekday on January 4 reminds us that following Christmas, we stay close to the Incarnation’s mystery, filled with wonder and gratitude for Jesus, who humbly entered the world as its light. This time prompts us to reconcile with God and improve spiritually, just as we might make New Year’s resolutions for other aspects of life. The Gospel invites us to consider what we seek in life, reminding us that our search for happiness is a quest for God’s love. Responding to God’s immense love requires faith and a grateful heart. Making spiritual resolutions to pray, read scripture, and love genuinely helps us grow in trust and peace, relying on God’s grace.

What are the Mass readings for a Christmas Weekday on January 4?

The Mass readings for a Christmas Weekday on January 4 are:
First Reading – 1 John 3:7-10: Righteousness Versus Sin
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 98: Global Rejoicing in Salvation
Gospel – John 1:35-42: First Disciples of Jesus

What does John mean when he says to live as God’s children in the first reading for a Christmas Weekday on January 4?

John encourages believers to live in a way that reflects God’s goodness. Living as God’s children means choosing to do what is right and avoiding what leads us away from him.

How can we apply John’s teachings to our everyday actions?

We can live as children of God by making choices that reflect honesty, kindness, and respect for others. This helps us show our commitment to God and his values in daily life.

Why does John the Baptist call Jesus the Lamb of God in the Gospel for a Christmas Weekday on January 4?

John calls Jesus the Lamb of God to show that Jesus came to take away the sins of the world. This title helps us understand that Jesus came as a sacrifice for our sins, similar to how lambs were sacrificed in the Old Testament.

How can we follow Jesus in our daily lives?

Following Jesus means listening to his words and trying to live as he taught. We can start by spending time in prayer, reading the Gospels, and making choices that reflect kindness and love.

Why did Andrew bring his brother Simon to meet Jesus?

Andrew wanted to share his discovery of Jesus with his brother because he felt it was important. This encourages us to share our faith with others so that they too can come to know Jesus.

What does it mean that Jesus gave Simon a new name in the Gospel for a Christmas Weekday on January 4?

When Jesus gave Simon the name Peter, it was a sign of a new role and mission. This shows that Jesus can bring new purpose to our lives as well, helping us become the people he calls us to be.

Why is it important to recognize Jesus in our lives?

Recognizing Jesus in our lives helps us see his love and guidance. When we recognize his presence, it strengthens our faith and reminds us that we are never alone.

What does the invitation to follow Jesus mean for us?

This invitation is a call to make Jesus a central part of our lives. It means trusting him and trying to live according to his teachings, knowing that he is with us.

How does Andrew’s example encourage us to share our faith?

Andrew shows us that sharing our experience of Jesus can lead others to him. We can share our faith through simple acts of kindness, prayer, and talking about our beliefs when appropriate.

How do these readings for a Christmas Weekday on January 4 connect to the Christmas season?

These readings for a Christmas Weekday on January 4 continue to show how people recognized Jesus as the Messiah. The Christmas season is a time to reflect on who Jesus is and to renew our commitment to follow him.