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| "The Annunciation" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Isaiah
7: 10 - 14
10
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz,
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
And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for
you to weary men, that you weary my God also?
14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall
be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
PSALM:
Psalms 24:
1 - 6
1
The earth is the LORD's and the fulness thereof, the world and those
who dwell therein;
2
for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the
rivers.
3
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his
holy place?
4
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his
soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully.
5
He will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God
of his salvation.
6
Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of
the God of Jacob. [Selah]
GOSPEL:
Luke 1:
26 - 38
26
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of
Galilee named Nazareth,
27
to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28
And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is
with you!"
29
But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her
mind what sort of greeting this might be.
30
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have
found favor with God.
31
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you
shall call his name Jesus.
32
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and
the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
33
and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his
kingdom there will be no end."
34
And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no
husband?"
35
And the angel said to her, "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.
36
And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also
conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called
barren.
37
For with God nothing will be impossible."
38
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be
to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
