Second Sunday of Christmas
The Common Worship lectionary readings for Second Sunday of Christmas in Year A, the liturgical colour, and what changes in the order of service.
Year AChristmaswhite
The readings
- First reading
- Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12
- Psalm
- Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21
- Second reading
- Ephesians 1:3-14
- Gospel
- John 1:(1-9), 10-18
Citations follow the Revised Common Lectionary as used in the Church of England's Common Worship principal service lectionary. Verse numbering can differ very slightly between Bible translations.
The liturgical colour
White is festal — Christmas, Easter, and the feasts of the Lord. Many parishes use gold on the greatest of them. On this Sunday the colour is white.
What changes in the service
The full festal shape: Gloria, Creed, and the seasonal acclamations.
In SundayHQ this is the festal template shape. You set your order of service once; when the season turns, one click applies the seasonal change and leaves the rest of your parish's own wording alone.
Hymns that fit these readings
Suggestions matched to the readings above, each with the reason it was chosen:
- Opening — Once in royal David's city Christmas opening a congregation of visitors knows
- Gradual — Of the Father's heart begotten John's prologue — the Word begotten of the Father's heart
- Offertory — In the bleak midwinter 'What can I give him?' — the offertory question itself
- Communion — See, amid the winter's snow Adoration at the crib
- Final — Unto us a boy is born Bright Christmas sending
When it next falls
| Date | Liturgical year |
|---|---|
| 4 January 2032 | Year A |
| 3 January 2038 | Year A |
| 3 January 2044 | Year A |
| 2 January 2050 | Year A |
Year A comes round every three years. The date moves because the whole calendar hangs off Easter.
The same Sunday in the other years
Questions
What are the readings for Second Sunday of Christmas in Year A?
First reading Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12; Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21; second reading Ephesians 1:3-14; Gospel John 1:(1-9), 10-18.
What colour is worn on Second Sunday of Christmas?
White. White is festal — Christmas, Easter, and the feasts of the Lord. Many parishes use gold on the greatest of them.
Which season is Second Sunday of Christmas in?
Christmas. The twelve days. White or gold, the Gloria restored, and the crib at the centre of the building.