The 18th of December, 2022 is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar Year 2023.
Reading 1: IS 7:10-14
The first reading from the Book of Isaiah.
Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.”
But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask. I won’t tempt Yahweh.”
He said, “Listen now, house of David. Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 24:1-2, 3-4AB, 5-6
Response: And the King of glory will come in. Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory!
The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell in it.
For he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the floods.
R: And the King of glory will come in. Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory!
Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood.
R: And the King of glory will come in. Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory!
He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face-even Jacob.
R: And the King of glory will come in. Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory!
Reading 2: ROM 1:1-7
The second reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God, which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh, who was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake; among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel of the Day: MT 1:18-24
From the gospel scripture according to Matthew.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel,” which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”
Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself.
