4th Sunday of Advent (Year: A)
Date: Sunday, December 22nd, 2019, 11:00
Old Testament: Isa. 7:10-16
Psalms: Ps. 80:1-7,17-19
10Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz,
11"Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."
12But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test."
13Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?
14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
15He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right.
16But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
Isaiah 7:10-16 (NIV)
Epistle: Rom. 1:1-7
1Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
2before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.
3Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
4O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
5You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.
7Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
17Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
18Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
19Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Psalms 80:1-7,17-19 (NIV)
Gospel: Matt. 1:18-25
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God--
2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures
3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,
4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-7 (NIV)
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered 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 home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)