DAILY READING

Sunday, January 03, 2021

First Reading (Isaiah 60:1-6)

[1] “Arise, shine [Yerushalayim], for your light has come, the glory of Adonai has risen over you. [2] For although darkness covers the earth and thick darkness the peoples; on you Adonai will rise; over you will be seen his glory.

[3] Nations will go toward your light and kings toward your shining splendor. [4] Raise your eyes and look around: they are all assembling and coming to you; your sons are coming from far off, your daughters being carried on their nurses’ hips.

[5] Then you will see and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with delight; for the riches of the seas will be brought to you, the wealth of nations will come to you.

[6] Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels from Midyan and ‘Eifah, all of them coming from Sh’va, bringing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of Adonai.

Second Reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6)

[2]I assume that you have heard of the work God in his grace has given me to do for your benefit, [3] and that it was by a revelation that this secret plan was made known to me.

I have already written about it briefly, [5] In past generations it was not made known to mankind, as the Spirit is now revealing it to his emissaries and prophets, [6] that in union with the Messiah and through the Good News the Gentiles were to be joint heirs, a joint body and joint sharers with the Jews in what God has promised.

Gospel (Matthew 2: 1-12)

[1] After Yeshua was born in Beit-Lechem in the land of Y’hudah during the time when Herod was king, Magi from the east came to Yerushalayim [2] and asked, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

[3] When King Herod heard of this he became very agitated, and so did everyone else in Yerushalayim. [4] He called together all the head cohanim and Torah-teachers of the people and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?”

[5] “In Beit-Lechem of Y’hudah,” they replied, “because the prophet wrote, [6]‘And you, Beit-Lechem in the land of Y’hudah, are by no means the least among the rulers of Y’hudah; for from you will come a Ruler who will shepherd my people Isra’el.’”

[7] Herod summoned the Magi to meet with him privately and asked them exactly when the star had appeared. [8] Then he sent them to Beit-Lechem with these instructions: “Search carefully for the child; and when you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him.”

[9] After they had listened to the king, they went away; and the star which they had seen in the east went in front of them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

[11] Upon entering the house, they saw the child with his mother Miryam; and they prostrated themselves and worshipped him. Then they opened their bags and presented him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

[12] But they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they took another route back to their own country.