Annunciation of the Lord

FIRST READING

Isaiah 7:10-14

Verse 10. Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Verse 11. “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” Verse 12. But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” Verse 13. Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? Verse 14. Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

PSALM

Psalm 45

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.

Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor.

In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds.

Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.

Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.

All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.

The daughters of kings are among your honored women; the queen stands at your right hand, adorned with the gold of Ophir.

Listen, O daughter! Consider and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house,

and the king will desire your beauty; bow to him, for he is your lord.

The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; men of wealth will seek your favor.

All glorious is the princess in her chamber; her gown is embroidered with gold.

In colorful garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions are brought before you.

They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king.

Your sons will succeed your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land.

I will commemorate your name through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever.

PSALM

Psalm 40:5-10

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us — none can compare to You — if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come — it is written about me in the scroll:

I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know.

I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation; I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness from the great assembly.

SECOND READING

Hebrews 10:4-10

Verse 4. because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 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 1:26-38

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.