Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 20, 2026

FIRST READING

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Verse 1. After the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, Verse 2. he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” Verse 3. And Nathan replied to the king, “Go and do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” Verse 4. But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, Verse 5. “Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in? Verse 6. For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling. Verse 7. In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’ Verse 8. Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. Verse 9. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land. Verse 10. And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning Verse 11. and have done since the day I appointed judges over My people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD declares to you that He Himself will establish a house for you. Verse 16. Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”

PSALM

Luke 1:46b-55

Verse 46. Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
Verse 47. and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
Verse 48. For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
Verse 49. For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
Verse 50. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
Verse 51. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
Verse 52. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
Verse 53. He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
Verse 54. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
Verse 55. as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

or

PSALM

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

Verse 1. A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving devotion of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations.
Verse 2. For I have said, “Loving devotion is built up forever; in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”
Verse 3. You said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant:
Verse 4. ‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.’”
Verse 19. You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
Verse 20. I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.
Verse 21. My hand will sustain him; surely My arm will strengthen him.
Verse 22. No enemy will exact tribute; no wicked man will oppress him.
Verse 23. I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.
Verse 24. My faithfulness and loving devotion will be with him, and through My name his horn will be exalted.
Verse 25. I will set his hand over the sea, and his right hand upon the rivers.
Verse 26. He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation.’

SECOND READING

Romans 16:25-27

Verse 25. Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past Verse 26. but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith — Verse 27. to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

GOSPEL

Luke 1:26-38

Verse 26. In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, Verse 27. to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. Verse 28. The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. ” Verse 29. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Verse 30. So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Verse 31. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. Verse 32. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, Verse 33. and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” Verse 34. “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Verse 35. The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Verse 36. Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. Verse 37. For no word from God will ever fail. ” Verse 38. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.