First Reading
2S 7,1-5.8-11.16
When the king had settled in his palace and Yahweh had rid him of all his surrounding
enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I live in a house of cedar but the ark of
God is housed in a tent." Nathan replied, "Do as it seems fit to you for Yahweh is with
you. "But that very night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant
David, this is what Yahweh says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?
Now you will tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you
from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people
Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before
you. Now I will make your name great as the name of the great ones on earth. I will
provide a place for my people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace.
They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as be-fore.
From the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel it is only to you that I
have given rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also tells you that he will build you a
house. When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your
son after you, the one born of you and I will make his reign secure. I will be a father
to him and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as
men do. Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall
be forever firm."
Responsorial Psalm
I will sing forever, O Lord, of your love and proclaim your faithfulness from age to
age.
I will declare how steadfast is your love,
how firm your faithfulness.
You said, "I have made a covenant with David,
my chosen one; I have made a pledge to my servant.
I establish his descendants forever;
I build his throne for all generations."
He will call on me, 'You are my Father,
my God, my Rock, my Savior.'
I will keep my covenant firm forever,
and my love for him will endure.
Second Reading
Rom 16,25-27
He is able to give you strength, according to the Good News I proclaim, announcing
Christ Jesus. Now is revealed the mysterious plan kept hidden for long ages in the
past. By the will of the eternal God it is brought to light, through the prophetic books,
and all nations shall believe the faith proclaimed to them. Glory to God, who alone is
wise, through Christ Jesus, for ever! Amen.
Gospel
Lk 1,26-38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called
Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and
said, "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words,
wondering what this greeting could mean. But the angel said, "Do not fear, Mary, for
God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call
him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord
God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of
Jacob for-ever and his reign shall have no end." Then Mary said to the angel, "How
can this be if I am a virgin?" 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 holy
child to be born shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting
a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her
sixth month. With God nothing is impossible." Then Mary said, "I am the handmaid
of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And the angel left her.