FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
1st Reading
King David desires to build a house for the Lord—a temple on the holy Mountain of Zion. Through prophet Nathan, God tells David that he is not the one who will build this temple. Rather, God will raise from David a descendant who will reign over the Davidic Kingdom forever. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah who is the new and eternal King.
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16
1 When King David was settled in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from his enemies on every side, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” 3 Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” 4 But that night the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: 5 “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Should you build me a house to dwell in? 8 “‘It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. 10 I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, 11 since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. 12 And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
PSALM
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
R: Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
2 The promises of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. 3 For you have said, “My kindness is established forever;” in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. (R) 4 “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 5 forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” (R) 27 “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’ 29 Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm.” (R)
2nd Reading
In this final benediction, St. Paul entrusts the Roman Christians in the hands of the eternal Father who brought our salvation through the coming of His Son. The power at work in us is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and overcame the enemy. Let us place our lives in the mighty hands of God who is there to help and save us.
Romans 16:25-27
25 Brothers and sisters: To him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages 26 but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL
When angel Gabriel reveals to the Virgin Mary that she will become the mother of the Savior of the world, she asks how this can happen. Did Mary vow to remain a virgin even though she is married to Joseph? Did God want her to break this solemn promise? God honors Mary’s vow of virginity and brings the conception of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. What may seem impossible to us is possible for Him. Let us not limit God by our human perspective.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.
Luke 1:26-38
26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
