Fourth Sunday of Advent

FIRST READING

Micah 5:2-5a

Verse 2. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. Verse 3. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the children of Israel. Verse 4. He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth. Verse 5. And He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land and tramples our citadels.

PSALM

Luke 1:46b-55

Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.

For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.

His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,

as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

PSALM

Psalm 80:1-7

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.

Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people?

You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink the full measure of their tears.

You make us contend with our neighbors; our enemies mock us.

Restore us, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

SECOND READING

Hebrews 10:5-10

Verse 5. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. Verse 6. In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. Verse 7. Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” Verse 8. In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). Verse 9. Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. Verse 10. And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

GOSPEL

Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Verse 39. In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, Verse 40. where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Verse 41. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Verse 42. In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Verse 43. And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Verse 44. For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Verse 45. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”