Fourth Sunday of Advent (B)

Official Translation

Reading 1 - 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

It happened, when King David lived in his house,
and the Lord had given him rest
from all his enemies all around,
that the king said to Nathan the prophet,
“See now, I dwell in a house of cedar,
but the ark of God dwells in a tent.”
Nathan said to the king,
“Go, do all that is in your heart; for the Lord is with you.”

It happened that same night,
that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,
“Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord:
“Shall you build me a house to dwell in?
I took you from the sheep pen,
from following the sheep,
that you should be prince over my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and have cut off all your enemies from before you.
I will make you a great name,
like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
I will appoint a place for my people Israel,
and will plant them that they may dwell in their own place,
and be moved no more;
nor shall the children of wickedness
afflict them anymore, as at first,
and from the days that I commanded judges
to be over my people Israel.
I will cause you to rest from all your enemies.
Moreover the Lord tells you
that the Lord will make you a house.
When your days are fulfilled,
and you sleep with your fathers,
I will set up your seed after you,
who shall proceed out of your loins,
and I will establish his kingdom.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son.
Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me.
Your throne shall be established forever.”

Responsorial - Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.
With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
I indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever.”
You established the heavens and your faithfulness is in them.”

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David, my servant,
‘I will establish your seed forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.’”

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

He will call to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation!’
I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.
My covenant will stand firm with him.

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

Reading 2 – Romans 16:25-27

Brothers and Sisters:
Now to him who is able to establish you,
according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery
which has been kept secret through long ages,
but now is revealed by the writings of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the eternal God,
is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever! Amen.

Gospel – Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
to a virgin pledged to be married
to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David.
The virgin’s name was Mary.
Having come, the angel said to her,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at the saying,
and considered what kind of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb,
and give birth to a son,
and will name him ‘Jesus.’
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,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be,
since I do not have relations with a man?”
The angel answered her,
“The Holy Spirit will come on you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore also the one who is born from you
will be called holy, the Son of God.
Behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
also has conceived a son in her old age;
and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
For God is not incapable of anything.”
Mary said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord;
be it to me according to your word.”