December 22, 2026

24Hannah Presents Samuel to the Lord. Once he was weaned, she brought him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the house of the LORD in Shiloh. 25After they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the child to Eli. 26Then Hannah spoke up: “Excuse me, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here near you, praying to the LORD. 27I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. 28Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” Then they worshiped there before the LORD.

1I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in your victory. 4“The bows of the mighty are broken, while the tottering gird on strength. 5The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry no longer have to toil. The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes. 6“The LORD puts to death and gives life, casts down to Sheol and brings up again. 7The LORD makes poor and makes rich, humbles, and also exalts. 8He raises the needy from the dust; from the ash heap lifts up the poor, To seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage. “For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he has set the world upon them.

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46The Canticle of Mary. And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. 49The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. 51He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. 52He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 53The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. 54He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, 55according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. The Birth of John.