Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Romans 16:25-27; and Luke 1:26-38. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 89 (Psalm 89:2-5, 27-29).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 89 - Forever I Will Sing by Marty Haugen

The Gospel reading is as follows:

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"

And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God."

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

Then the angel departed from her.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 21, 2014)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 21, 2014)

Msgr. Charles Pope: See What the End Shall Be – A Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent (20 DEC 14)

The Deacon's Bench: Homily for December 21, 2014: 4th Sunday of Advent (20 DEC 14)

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: Mystery of the Incarnation

The Sacred Page: Mystery Now Revealed: The Fourth Sunday in Advent (17 DEC 14)

Word on Fire: A Not Very Cozy Advent (Cycle B * Advent * Week 3)

Dr. Scott Hahn: The Mystery Kept Secret (December 21st 2014 - Fourth Sunday in Advent)

CWR Blog: Hail, Mary! Tabernacle of God and the Word! (20 DEC 14)

Spirituality of the Readings: Listening With the Heart (The 4th Sunday of Advent B)

The Word Embodied: This Is My Body (The 4th Sunday of Advent B)

Historical Cultural Context: Virginity & Honor (The 4th Sunday of Advent B)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Bede (The 4th Sunday of Advent B)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Fourth Sunday of Advent (19 DEC 14)