The first 24 days of December fall during the liturgical season known as Advent and are represented by the liturgical color purple—a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart.
The remaining days of December mark the beginning of the Christmas season. The liturgical color changes to white or gold — a symbol of joy, purity and innocence.
The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of December 2025
For Christians in areas of conflict. Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope. (See also http://popesprayerusa.net/)
Focus of the Liturgy
The Gospels for the four Sundays in December 2025 are taken from St. Matthew, Cycle A in the Lectionary Cycle. The Weekday readings are from Year II.
| December 1st First Sunday of Advent |
Matthew 24:37-44: Stay awake, that you may be prepared! |
| December 8th Second Sunday of Advent |
Matthew 3:1-12: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! |
| December 15th Third Sunday of Advent |
Matthew 11:2-11: Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another? |
| December 22nd Fourth Sunday of Advent |
Matthew 1:18-24: Jesus will be born of Mary, the betrothed of Joseph, a son of David. |
| 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 28th Feast of the Holy Family |
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23: Take the child and his mother, and flee into Egypt. |
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 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 main feasts of Advent are:
St. Francis Xavier (December 3),
St. John Damascene (December 4),
St. Nicholas (December 6),
St. Juan Diego (December 9),
Immaculate Conception (December 9),
Our Lady of Loreto (December 10),
St. Damasus I (December 11),
Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12),
St. Lucy (December 13),
and St. John of Kanty (December 23).
From: catholicculture.org
