The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
The Holy Father’s Intentions for the Month of December 2024
For Pilgrims of Hope We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
Feasts for December
01. FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, Sunday
03. Francis Xavier, Memorial
06. Nicholas, Opt. Mem.
07. Ambrose, Memorial
08. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, Sunday
09. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY, Solemnity
11. Damasus I, Opt. Mem.
12. Our Lady of Guadalupe (USA), Feast
13. Lucy, Memorial
14. John of the Cross, Memorial
15. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, GAUDETE SUNDAY, Sunday
21. Peter Canisius; O Dayspring; Ember Saturday, Opt. Mem.
22. FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, Sunday
23. John of Kanty; O Emmanuel, Opt. Mem.
25. NATIVITY OF THE LORD (Christmas), Solemnity
26. Stephen, Feast
27. John, Apostle, Feast
28. Holy Innocents, Feast
29. Feast of the Holy Family, Feast
31. Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas; Sylvester I , Opt. Mem.
Focus of the Liturgy
The Gospels for the four Sundays in December 2024 are taken from St. Luke, Year C in the Lectionary Cycle. The Weekday readings are from Year I.
December 1st First Sunday of Advent
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36: Jesus warns that your redemption is at hand.
December 8th Second Sunday of Advent
Luke 3:1-6: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
December 15th Third Sunday of Advent
Luke 3:10-18: What should we do?
December 22nd Fourth Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:39-45, And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
December 25th Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord [Christmas]
Vigil: Matthew 1:1-25: The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David
Mass During the Night: Luke 2:1-14: Today a Savior has been born for you.
Mass at Dawn: Luke 2:15-20: The shepherds found Mary and Joseph and the infant.
Mass During the Day: John 1:1-18: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
December 29th Feast of the Holy Family
Luke 2:41-52: His parents found Jesus sitting in the midst of the teachers.
Highlights of the Month
The liturgy of Advent focuses on remembering Christ’s first coming at Bethlehem which then directs our mind to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. The readings focus on the people of the Old Testament awaiting the Messiah, John the Baptist, heralding the way for Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary and her maternal preparations.
The optional memorial of St. Juan Diego (December 9) is superseded by the Sunday liturgy. The feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) has been transferred to December 9 because of the Sunday Liturgy.
extract from catholicculture.org