New American Bible readings
First reading (Micah 5: 1–4a)A reading from the book of the Prophet Micah.
Thus says the LORD: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; and they shall remain, for now, his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.
Second reading (Hebrews 10: 5–10)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and sisters: When Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, 'As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.'" First, he says, "Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in." These are offered according to the law. Then he says, "Behold, I come to do your will." He takes away the first to establish the second. By this "will," we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Gospel (Luke 1: 39–45)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings
First reading (Micah 5: 1–4a)A reading from the book of the Prophet Micah.
You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, so small that you are hardly named among the clans of Judah, from you shall I raise the one who is to rule over Israel. For he comes from of old, from the ancient times. Yahweh, therefore, will abandon Israel until such time as she who is to give birth has given birth. Then the rest of his deported brothers will return to the people of Israel. He will stand and shepherd his flock with the strength of the Lord, in the glorious Name of the Lord, his God. They will live safely while he wins renown to the ends of the earth. He shall become peace.
Second reading (Hebrews 10: 5–10)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
When you enter the world, Christ states: You did not desire sacrifice and offering; you were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said: "Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. I will do your will, O God." First, he says, "Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire nor were you pleased with them — although they were acquired by the Law. Then he says: Here I am to do your will. This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new. Now, by this will of God, we are sanctified at this once by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ.
Gospel (Luke 1: 39–45)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Mary set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit and giving a loud cry, she stated, "You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!"
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 80) (Verses 2–3, 15–16, and 18–19)
ReplyDeleteThe response is: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. Rouse your power, and come to save us.
Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
This responsorial psalm is taken from the New American Bible.
DeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 80) (Verses 2–3, 15–16, and 18–19)
ReplyDeleteThe response is: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Listen, O shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit enthroned between the cherubim. Shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might and come to save us.
Turn again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven and see; care for this vine, and protect the stock your hand has planted. But lay your hand on your instrument, on the son of man whom you make strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn away from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
This responsorial psalm is taken from the Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible.
DeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 80) (Verses 2–3, 15–16, and 18–19)
DeleteThe response is: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Listen, O shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit enthroned between the cherubim. Shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might and come to save us.
Turn again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven and see; care for this vine, and protect the stock your hand has planted. But lay your hand on your instrument, on the son of man whom you make strong for yourself.
Lay your hand on your instrument, on the son of man whom you make strong for yourself. Then we will never turn away from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
Alleluia, alleluia.
ReplyDeleteBehold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Gloria is omitted during the Advent season.
ReplyDeleteThe theme for the last Sunday of Advent, the 4th Sunday of Advent is Man's acceptance of God's coming.
ReplyDeleteMatthew states in Chapter 1: Verses 1 to 2: "When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star in the east and have come to honor him.'"
Priest: Father, as our Advent pilgrimage draws to a close, we relight the candles of hope, peace, and joy. Then, we light a candle of love. Grant us the courage to share your love: love for life and all creation, love for sinners and saints, love for the poor and the little ones. We thank you for the hope your Son gives us, for the peace he bestows, for the joy your Spirit pours into our hearts, and for your love that redeems us and shows us the way. Amen.
After that the father of the chosen family lights all four candles of the Advent Wreath. During that time, the choir will sing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".
This is a prayer that is led by the father or a male member of the family:
Blessed us, dear Father, and make us channels of Your peace. Help us to spread the spirit of brotherhood in a world where there is so much distrust and hatred. Let Your light shine from our hearts, and from our homes. Amen.
This is a prayer led by the mother or a female member of the family:
Mother Mary, you stated, "Yes" when God inquired you to give Jesus to us. Help us to say, "Yes" to God now that He is asking us to give Jesus to those around us. Help us to do little acts of thoughtfulness and generosity to everyone we meet. Amen.
This is a prayer led by one of the children:
You delight us, Lord, with Your many surprises. You bless us and take care of us. Thank you, Jesus, for being here with us. Thank you, loving Father, for making us Your children. Amen.
Priest: We have come a long way from the very first Sunday of Advent. At that time, we lit the very first candle. The next week, there were two lighted candles, then three, and finally four candles today shining very brightly, just like our love for Jesus is shining. Father, show us that if we keep believing in Jesus and loving Him everyday, Christmas too will come everyday. Help us to give to others gifts of love, patience, kindness, and understanding not only this Christmas, but throughout the new year. Amen.
The Advent Wreath Rites are recited for selected parishes, especially the English mass in Saint Theresia Church.
Delete