The Twelve Days of Christmas: The Second Day

The First Sunday after Christmas Day (Year C)

Scripture

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

Psalter: Psalm 148

Epistle: Colossians 3:12-17

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

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Prayer

O Holy One, heavenly angels spoke to earthly shepherds and eternity entered time in the child of Bethlehem. Through the telling of the Christmas story, let our temporal lives be caught up in the eternal in that same child, that we might join shepherds and all the heavenly host in praising the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

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Reflection

December 26 is the Second Day of Christmas. The two turtle doves signify the Old and New Testaments.

Today is also the Feast of St. Stephen, who was the first Christian martyr as recounted in the book of Acts (7:54-8:3). It is also the day traditionally when the Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas” is sung:

ALL:

Good King Wenceslas looked out,

upon the Feast of Stephen,

when the snow lay round about,

deep and crisp and even:

brightly shone the moon that night,

though the frost was cruel,

when a poor man came in site,

gathering winter fuel.

KING:

Hither page and stand by me!

I you know it telling:

yonder man who is he,

where and what his dwelling?

PAGE:

Sir he lives a good way hence,

underneath the mountain;

right against the forest fence,

by Saint Agnes' fountain:

KING:

Bring me food and bring me wine,

bring me pine logs hither:

you and I will see him dine,

when we take them thither.

ALL:

Page and monarch forth they went,

forth they went together,

through the wild wind's loud lament,

and the bitter weather.

PAGE:

Sir the night is darker now,

and the wind grows stronger;

fails my heart - I know not how,

I can go no longer.

KING:

Mark my footsteps well my page,

follow in them boldly:

you shall find the winter's rage,

chills your blood less coldly.

ALL:

In his masters steps he trod,

where the snow lay even,

strong to do the will of God,

in the hope of Heaven:

therefore Christians all be sure,

grace and wealth possessing,

you that now will bless the poor,

shall yourselves find blessing.

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