December 2025 Feast Days, Important Dates, and Reminders

It’s December. We begin the month by preparing for Christmas with the Advent season. The month is filled with many feasts and opportunities to grow closer to Christ as we prepare for his birth.

Here is a breakdown of the intention of our Holy Father

The Holy Father's Intentions for 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/)

Feasts for December 2025

3. Francis Xavier, Memorial First Wednesday dedicated to the Chaste Heart of St. Joseph

5. First Friday of the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

6. Nicholas, Opt. Mem. First Saturday dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

7. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, Sunday

8. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY, Solemnity (Attend Mass as it is a Holy Day of Obligation)

9. Juan Diego (USA), Opt. Mem.

11. Damasus I, Opt. Mem.

12. Our Lady of Guadalupe (USA), Feast

13. Lucy, Memorial

14. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, GAUDETE SUNDAY, Sunday

21. FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT; O Oriens (O Dayspring), Sunday

23. John of Kanty; O Emmanuel, Opt. Mem.

25. NATIVITY OF THE LORD (Christmas), Solemnity

26. Stephen, Feast

27. John, Apostle, Feast

28. Feast of the Holy Family, Feast

29. Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas; Thomas Becket, Opt. Mem.

31. Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas; Sylvester I, Opt. Mem.

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 7th, Second Sunday of Advent
Matthew 3:1-12: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

December 14th, Third Sunday of Advent
Matthew 11:2-11: Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?

December 21st 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.

Important Notes

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.

Make it a December to Remember. Keep Christ in Christmas by going to Mass. Prepare for Christ’s coming by going to confession, adoration, and helping others return home to the Catholic Church.