4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, 2025
INTRODUCTION
Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him
Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the
one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray,
“O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons,
ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final
Sunday of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us
from the power of sin and death.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might,
free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises,
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING
ISAIAH 7:10-16
An Israelite and Aramean military coalition presented a serious threat to King
Ahaz of Judah. In response, Ahaz decided to secure his throne and kingdom by
seeking Assyrian help. Isaiah reminds Ahaz that human attempts to establish
security will fail. The prophet gives the sign that is the only source of true safety:
Immanuel, God is with us!
10 The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be
deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not
put the Lord to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah 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 Immanuel. 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
PSALM 80:1-7, 17-19
(Response) Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80:7)
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts,
how long will your anger fume when your people pray?
(Response) Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80:7)
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
17 Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one you have made so strong for yourself.
18 And so will we never turn away from you;
give us life, that we may call upon your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
(Response) Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80:7)
SECOND READING
ROMANS 1:1-7
Most of the Christians in Rome do not know Paul. In this letter’s opening he
introduces himself as an apostle divinely appointed to spread God’s gospel. The
gospel’s content is the promised coming of Christ, and Paul’s mission is to bring
about the obedience of faith among all nations, including his Roman audience.
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, 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 you
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 ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. The virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel. Alleluia. (Matt. 1:23)
GOSPEL READING
MATTHEW 1:18-25
Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth focuses on the role of Joseph, who adopts the
divinely-begotten child into the family of David and obediently gives him the name
Jesus, which means “God saves.”
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 pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous
man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce 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 become pregnant and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
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 given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.
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