1 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 20, 2020

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 20, 2020

READING 1 – 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 A reading from the second Book Samuel

1 After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

3 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.” 4 But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. “‘The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.

14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 /R/ Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. The promises of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness /R/

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” /R/ “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’ Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm. /R/

READING 2 – Romans 16:25-27 A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the

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prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA.

GOSPEL – Luke 1:26-38 A reading of the holy Gospel according to Luke: The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

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, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

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35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on 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. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

A PRAYER CONCERNING THE KEY TO GOD’S HEART (John 14:15) 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. Dear God, I often struggle with believing that the key to your heart is by performing pious acts, following a prescribed schedule of religious disciplines, or making tremendous sacrifices. But, I really am making the situation much more

complicated than it needs to be – the answer was given to me by Jesus when I accepted him as my Savior. To fully access your favor, I need to demonstrate obedience that flows from love. Instead of performing a collection of obligations for the purpose of staying right with you, you want me to relate personally to you and to submit to you out of love and respect. What I do in service for you should always flow from my intimate relationship with you, and not a sense of trying to earn your goodwill. Help me to spend time with you, and to say yes to whatever you ask out of reverence for you as my God, and my profound gratefulness for all you have done for me. Please help me to always obey you, and courageously and lovingly submit to your will. Amen

A PRAYER CONCERNING CASTING YOUR CARES UPON THE LORD (1 Peter 5:7) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Dear God, I have learned that problems are inevitable in this life, and they are woven into the fabric of our day-to-day living. Unfortunately, if I am not careful, I find myself struggling with the anxiety of these problems to the point where it cripples me, and it prevents me from

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experiencing joy and fulfillment. But, I know that you did not create us to handle the troubles of this world on our own, which is why you have told us to cast our burdens on you and to allow you to care for us. Teach me that the first step in releasing myself from these troubles is simply by talking with you through prayer - which shifts my focus away from the problem and allows me to cast it upon you who can handle any adversity I might face in this life. Let me acknowledge my anxiety and my need for your peace, and help me to confess any sin that might be associated with my fears. Help me to release my cares to you, and please bless me with your help, presence, comfort, provision, and direction as you provide a solution and reveal the next steps that I should take to resolve these concerns. Amen

A PRAYER CONCERNING GOD’S PLAN (Jeremiah 29:11) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Dear God, I sometimes try to make plans for my life, but I always have this fear that I will fall short. I suppose that I am not alone – I am sure that

everyone wrestles with the anxiety that they will somehow fail, be rejected, or be deemed unworthy of possessing their heart’s greatest desires. However, please teach me that the difference is the Holy Spirit who indwells in me. Others may rely on their abilities, charms, or strengths, but you have given me a divine helper who ensures that I am accepted, important, and competent for the tasks you have given me to do. Remind me that everything in my life comes from your hand, and if you close someone’s heart to me or you deny me access to a particular opportunity, it is not because I failed, but instead, because it is not you will. Teach me that the denial is merely evidence of your protection, and the wonderful plan that you have for my life. Help me to always count on you to open the right doors for me, and let me always be assured that you will provide the support I need to succeed in every task you give me to do. Amen

FEELING HELPLESS (Proverbs 3:5-6) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Sometimes, Lord Jesus, when I feel helpless, I am really just underestimating the abilities you have given me. Give me the strength and confidence to become the person you created me to be.

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A PRAYER CONCERNING MAKING DECISIONS (Proverbs 19:21) 21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Dear God, I sometimes wonder why I make decisions the way I do. Sometimes, it is a

“go with my gut” decision, and other times, I engage in a rigorous analysis in an effort to determine the best course to take. However, when I dig deeper and truly examine my decision-making process, I have been surprised to find what really drives me. In some cases, I may be avoiding negative consequences at all costs, or I may be motivated by what others might think. And, sometimes, I am simply seeking what makes me feel better or I am simply interested in protecting myself from pain. Teach me that whatever my determining factor might be, if you are not the compass of my choices, then my decision-making skills are faulty. Help me to always understand that only you know the best path for me to take, and you can often provide options I might not even know are available. Strengthen my heart to believe that, in every instance, your wisdom is perfect, and whatever you lead me to do, you will also equip me to accomplish. Amen

A PRAYER CONCERNING EXCELLENCE (Colossians 3:23-24) 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Dear God, I want to be a person of excellence – one who exceeds the expectations of others – for that is a rare thing in this world. Please allow me to care deeply about telling the truth, about doing things well and right, and about helping those in need. May my pursuit of an excellent character give others a glimpse of your character, and may my striving inspire them to pursue a purpose beyond themselves. You initiated excellence in the beauty of your creation, and I know that I will display excellence when I constantly model myself after you, and the way you love and care for us. Amen