Catholic Calendar Guide

SolemnityWhiteChristmas

Rank

A solemnity is one of the highest-ranking celebrations in the Roman calendar and marks a mystery of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or a saint of major significance.

Liturgical color

The liturgical color for this observance is White. Purity, joy, and major celebrations of the Lord and saints who are not martyrs.

Season

The Christmas season celebrates the Incarnation of the Lord from Christmas through the Baptism of the Lord.

Week in the year

Christmas season

Why this day matters

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh and Savior of the world.

Nativity of the Lord is observed on Friday, December 25, 2026 in the Christmas season. It is kept as a solemnity with the liturgical color White. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh and Savior of the world. Christmas is one of the principal celebrations of the universal Church and is widely observed as a holy day of obligation.

Holy day note: Christmas is one of the principal celebrations of the universal Church and is widely observed as a holy day of obligation.

Plan local worship

Need to find a parish for this celebration?

Use the parish finder to search your area and confirm local Mass times, confession schedules, and parish details for Nativity of the Lord.

Daily readings

Daily readings for Friday, December 25, 2026

Christmas readings dwell on the mystery of the Incarnation, divine sonship, and the manifestation of the Lord.

What to expect: Expect a First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel acclamation, and Gospel for the day.

Use the linked official readings page for the approved lectionary texts and any local options or variations.

Browse readings archive

Mass guide

Mass guide for Friday, December 25, 2026

Mass type

Solemnity Mass. Solemnities are among the Church’s highest celebrations and usually carry a more festive liturgical form, often including the Gloria and normally the Creed.

Obligation note

Christmas is one of the principal celebrations of the universal Church and is widely observed as a holy day of obligation.

What to expect

You can usually expect a First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel, homily, and the fuller Sunday-or-solemnity shape of Mass.

How to follow the Mass

Opening rites

Mass begins with the entrance, greeting, penitential act, and opening prayer. On more festive days, the Gloria may also be included.

Liturgy of the Word

Listen for the First Reading, Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel acclamation, Gospel, homily, and usually the Profession of Faith and Universal Prayer.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The gifts are prepared, the Eucharistic Prayer is prayed, and the congregation joins in the Holy, Holy, Holy, the memorial acclamation, and the Great Amen.

Communion and dismissal

After the Lord’s Prayer, sign of peace, and Lamb of God, Communion is distributed. Mass ends with the final blessing and dismissal.

Postures and responses

Stand, sit, and kneel according to local custom and parish direction. Join the spoken and sung responses as you are able; posture details can vary somewhat by country and diocese.

Local music, ceremonial detail, posture, and holy day obligation can vary somewhat by country, diocese, and parish. Use this guide as a practical orientation, then follow the parish’s actual celebration.

Scope and caution

This guide is built around the universal Roman Catholic calendar for practical reference. Local episcopal conferences, dioceses, and ritual traditions may observe some dates differently.

WeekdayViolet

Thursday, December 24, 2026

Thursday in Advent

Advent is the season of watchful preparation for the Nativity of the Lord and for Christ’s coming in glory. This date is presented here as part of the unfolding prayer of the Church year, even when no major universal observance is highlighted in the MVP dataset.

Advent•4th week of Advent

FeastRed

Saturday, December 26, 2026

Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

Saint Stephen is remembered immediately after Christmas as the first martyr who bore witness to Christ even unto death.

Christmas•Christmas season•Saint Stephen