4th Sunday of Advent

4th Sunday of Advent

Advent is here. What a marvellous time in which to renew your desire, your nostalgia, your real longing for Christ to come — 
for him to come every day to your soul in the Eucharist. 
The Church encourages us: Ecce veniet! — He is about to arrive!
The Forge, 548 St. Josemaria Escriva

Advent Prayer

Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to heart the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

• Isaiah 7:10-16 
• Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 
• Romans 1:1-7 
• Matthew 1:18-25

 Matthew 1:18-25

1:18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

1:19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.

1:20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, 

for the child conceived in her is from   

the Holy Spirit.

1:21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

1:22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

  

"Look, the virgin shall conceive 

and bear a son, 

and they shall name him Emmanuel," 

which means, "God is with us."

 Matthew 1:23