[Propertalk] READINGS for the FOURTH SUNDAY in ADVENT

[Charles Wohlers]

The following are the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 18, 
according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman 
Catholic, Canadian BAS, and the Church of England (Common Worship) 
lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard 
Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the ECUSA, Canadian 
and C of E lectionaries are identical to the RCL for this day.



OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 7: 10 - 16 (RCL)
                                 Isaiah 7: 10 - 14 (Roman Catholic)

Isai 7:10 (NRSV) Again the LORD spoke to A'haz, saying, 11 Ask a sign of 
the LORD your God; let it be deep as She'ol or high as heaven. 12 But 
A'haz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. 13 
Then Isai'ah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for 
you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord 
himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and 
shall bear a son, and shall name him Imman'uel. 15 He shall eat curds 
and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the 
good. 16 For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose 
the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be 
deserted.


PSALM 80: 1 - 7, 17 - 19 (RCL)

Psal 80:1 (NRSV) Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
2 before E'phraim and Benjamin and Manas'seh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
4 O LORD God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
18 Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Note: Verse numbering in your Psalter may differ from the above.


Psalm 24: 1 - 6  (Roman Catholic)

Psal 24:1 (NRSV) The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
2 for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Se'lah]
7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory. [Se'lah]


NEW TESTAMENT: Romans 1: 1 - 7 (all)

Roma 1:1 (NRSV) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an 
apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand 
through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his 
Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was 
declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness 
by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we 
have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of 
faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6 including 
yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


GOSPEL: Matthew 1: 18 - 25 (RCL)
                  Matthew 1: 18 - 24 (Roman Catholic)

Matt 1:18 (NRSV) 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. 19 
Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to 
public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 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. 21 She will bear 
a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from 
their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by 
the Lord through the prophet:
23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emman'uel,"
which means, "God is with us." 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did 
as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but 
had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he 
named him Jesus.


-- 
Chad Wohlers
chadwohl at satucket.com
Woodbury, VT   USA