Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. ¹³I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him, who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. ¹⁴I write unto you, babes, because you have known the Father. I write unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. ¹⁵Love not the world, nor the things which are in the world. If any man love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world, is the concupiscence of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life, which is not of the Father, but is of the world. ¹⁷And the world passeth away, and the concupiscence thereof: but he that doth the will of God, abideth for ever.

⁷Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour: ⁸Bring to the Lord glory unto his name. Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts: ⁹Adore ye the Lord in his holy court. Let all the earth be moved at his presence. ¹⁰Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned. For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: he will judge the people with justice.

℟ Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. ³⁷And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. ³⁸Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. ³⁹And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. ⁴⁰And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.