Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Reading 1 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
When King David was settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?
“‘It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his Kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the rock, my savior.’
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Luke 1:67-79
Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
December 25, 2025 // The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel for the Mass during the Day: John 1:1-18
Reflect on the Word //
Dim candlelight dances upon the stone of the sanctuary, illuminating its rough-hewn edges. Tucked below in its alcove, the golden tabernacle gleams invitingly, flanked on either side by a row of evergreens, soft with twinkling lights. A reverent, contented hush is soon broken by the opening chords of the organ, which builds as a swell of joyous voices join in:
“O come, let us adore Him—
Christ, the Lord!”
The stone of this sanctuary is a far cry from the humble, rough-hewn stone of the humble cave in Bethlehem; the twinkling trees a far cry from the twinkling star of Bethlehem; the chorus of voices, a far cry from the exultant choirs of angels on that blessed morn when Christ was born. Yet the joy—the joy is the same.
In my mind’s eye, the humble Nativity scene takes shape. Quietly, our Lady beckons; invites me to come and behold. To hold. Gently, she nestles Him in my arms. I inhale softly, cradling the Spinner of stars, the Maker of men.
The Word made flesh—He is truly here, among us.
The whole light of Heaven, contained in one tiny Person.
The Author of the eternal, now robed in the finite.
He takes on our limited flesh, that we might be clothed in His expansive divinity.
He submits to mortality, that we might gain eternal life.
He allows Himself to cry human tears, that we might experience heavenly joy.
He leaves the vastness of paradise for earthly exile, to lead us out of exile—and show us the way Himself.
He lights up every darkness, and even the darkest shadows quake.
He is both Giver and Gift. He gives everything—spending His entire self—that we might gain everything: above all, Himself. He waits in a rough-hewn cave: small and vulnerable, with love inexhaustible. Inviting you to know Him, to be known by Him. To behold and to hold Him. To let Him dwell intimately within you. To light your every darkness.
We but only need respond.
Come, O come—
and let us adore
the Infant God come to rescue us
Christ, the Lord.
Relate to the Lord // Read this reflection again prayerfully. What line or image stands out to you and why?
Megan Hjelmstad est une épouse et une mère de hockey 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7 et une réserviste de l'armée dans ses temps « libres ». Elle adore les livres, le sommeil, le soleil et les grands espaces du Colorado. Megan aime aider les femmes à découvrir leur dignité donnée par Dieu grâce au programme de mentorat Well . Megan est un auteur contributeur de Maranatha: L'histoire de notre Sauveur et du livre de prières de dévotion de nos enfants, Rise Up . En savoir plus sur elle ici .
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