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Fourth Week of Advent

First Light

Wednesday, December 23, 2026

First Light for Wednesday, December 23, 2026. You can scroll the whole Hour, or use Prayer space. Light is shorter.

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Hours Depth: Light

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening

Lord, open my lips. And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Psalm I

Antiphon

Feed me with what endures when lesser lights fade.

Psalm 100 (99):1–3

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth. Serve the Lord with rejoicing. Enter into his sight in exultation. Know that the Lord himself is God. He made us, and we ourselves did not. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

Feed me with what endures when lesser lights fade.

First Reading

Malachi 3:1–5

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Behold, I send my angel, and he will prepare the way before my face. And presently the Sovereign, whom you seek, and the angel of testimony, whom you desire, will arrive at his temple. Behold, he approaches, says the Lord of hosts. And who will be able to consider the day of his advent, and who will stand firm in order to see him? For he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’s herb. And he will sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he will purge the sons of Levi, and he will gather them like gold and like silver, and they will offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Judah and of Jerusalem will please the Lord, just as in the days of past generations, and as in the ancient years. And I will approach you in judgment, and I will be a swift witness against evil-doers, and adulterers, and perjurers, and those who cheat the hired hand in his wages, the widows and the orphans, and who oppress the traveler, and who have not feared me, says the Lord of hosts.

Intentions

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Shared by the community

For Mary and Dewey as they prepare for their upcoming wedding, may the Holy Spirit be with them and help grow their love for one another through Holy Matrimony.

R. Lord, have mercy.

For workers already on the road, and parents already awake.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Closing prayer

Father, send us into the work of this day. Keep our hands honest and our speech kind. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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