FIRST READING: Isaiah 7: 10 - 14
10
And the Lord spoke again to Achaz, saying:
11
Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God either unto the depth of hell, or
unto the height above.
12
And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord.
13
And he said: Hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing
for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also?
14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin
shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called
Emmanuel.
1
The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof: the world, and all
they that dwell therein.
2
For he hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the
rivers.
3
Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in
his holy place?
4
The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his
soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.
5
He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his
Saviour.
6
This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the
face of the God of Jacob.
1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated
unto the gospel of God,
2
Which he had promised before, by his prophets, in the holy
scriptures,
3
Concerning his Son, who was made to him of the seed of David,
according to the flesh,
4
Who was predestinated the Son of God in power, according to the
spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus
Christ from the dead;
5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the
faith, in all nations, for his name;
6
Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ:
7
To all that are at Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints.
Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.
18
Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother
Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found
with child, of the Holy Ghost.
19
Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing
publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.
20
But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord
appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her,
is of the Holy Ghost.
21
And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
For he shall save his people from their sins.
22
Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke
by the prophet, saying:
23
Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they
shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with
us.
24
And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had
commanded him, and took unto him his wife.
