Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday

Every Sunday is a little Easter, the Lord’s Day, when the Church gathers for the Eucharist. From December 17 the Advent liturgy turns to the immediate preparation for Christmas, with the great “O Antiphons” at Evening Prayer.

Readings of the day

Joyful Mysteries

Third Mystery: The Nativity

On the Sundays of Advent many pray the Joyful Mysteries, keeping the season’s focus on the coming and birth of Christ.

“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.”Luke 2:7

In Bethlehem the Son of God is born in poverty. Angels announce the good news to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks, and they come in haste to adore Him.

Fruit of the mystery: Poverty of spirit

“O Key of David” — the O Antiphon for December 20

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, who open and no one shuts, who shut and no one opens: come, and lead the captive from prison, those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

Roman Breviary, Magnificat antiphon (translated for this app)

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This day’s five mysteries (Joyful Mysteries)

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation
The Finding in the Temple

Coming up

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Fri, Dec 25 · Solemnity
Saint Stephen, the First MartyrSat, Dec 26 · Feast
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephSun, Dec 27 · Feast
The Holy Innocents, MartyrsMon, Dec 28 · Feast
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of GodFri, Jan 1 · Solemnity

✝ Pray the full Rosary

Liturgical calendar for the dioceses of the USA (General Roman Calendar and U.S. proper), checked against the USCCB liturgical calendar. Readings: citations from the U.S. Lectionary for Mass, text from the Douay-Rheims Bible (public domain).

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