Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, and Matthew 1:18-24. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 24 (Psalm 24:1-6). 

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

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm (4th Sunday of Advent) Psalm 23(24) Let The Lord Enter 

The Gospel reading is as follows: 

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Reflections on these readings: 

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 22, 2019) 

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 22, 2019) 

Community in Mission: Crisis At Christmas - A Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent (21 DEC 19) 

Crossroads Initiative: St. Joseph - Father of Faith 

The Sacred Page: Letting God In: 4th Sunday of Advent (20 DEC 19) 

The Sacred Page: Born of the Virgin Mary (The Mass Readings Explained) (16 DEC 19) 

St. Paul Center: God Is with Us: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Advent 

Word on Fire: Dream Big (Cycle A * Advent * Week 4) 

National Catholic Register: Sunday Readings: Advent Lesson: God's Ways Are Better Than Our Own (20 DEC 19) 

Spirituality of the Readings: An Inner Assurance (Fourth Sunday of Advent A) 

In Exile: Advent: Joseph's Fidelity (Fourth Sunday of Advent A) 

Glancing Thoughts: The Greatness of Mary (Fourth Sunday of Advent A) 

The Perspective of Justice: God With Us (Fourth Sunday of Advent A) 

Let the Scriptures Speak: Joseph's Dream (Fourth Sunday of Advent A) 

The Word Embodied: Joseph (Fourth Sunday of Advent A) 

Historical Cultural Context: Honoring God's Will (Fourth Sunday of Advent A) 

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Bede (Fourth Sunday of Advent A)