ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
Feast of the Holy Name, Year A, Jan. 1, 2026
Numbers 6:22-27
God instructs the Israelite priests in blessing the people. This three-fold blessing is still often used.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of Numbers:
(Lead in with) The Lord said…; NRSV: The Lord spoke…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
The Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron and his sons, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
New Revised Standard Version
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
Feast of the Holy Name, Year A, Jan. 1, 2026
Galatians 4:4-7
Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world under laws which were not required of him. But to join in our lives intimately, he took on these burdens, that he might know us and we might know him.
A reading (lesson) from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: Paul, a servant…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
When the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.
New Revised Standard Version
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
ILLUMINATION for the Alternate Second Lesson
Feast of the Holy Name, Year A, Jan. 1, 2026
Philippians 2:5-11
Taking on attributes and burdens that were beneath the dignity of God, Jesus showed in his incarnation the extraordinary, humbling love that God has for each of his creation.
A reading (lesson) from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians:
(Lead in with) RSV: Have this mind…; NRSV: Let the same mind…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
New Revised Standard Version
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
Feast of the Holy Name, Year A, Jan. 1, 2026
Luke 2:15-21
The first to hear about and see the Christ child are lowly shepherds in their fields. As they worship him, Mary reflects on the moment in her heart; on Jesus’ eighth day, he is named.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Luke:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: When the angels…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
New Revised Standard Version
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
