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

Fourth Mystery: The Presentation

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

““Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;”Luke 2:29

In obedience to the Law, Mary and Joseph present the Child Jesus in the Temple. The righteous Simeon takes Him in his arms and blesses God, and the prophetess Anna speaks of Him to all awaiting redemption.

Fruit of the mystery: Obedience

“O Root of Jesse” — the O Antiphon for December 19

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign for the peoples, before whom kings shall keep silent and whom the nations shall seek: come to deliver us, and delay no longer.

Roman Breviary, Magnificat antiphon (translated for this app)

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A notification each morning with the day’s mysteries, a mystery to meditate on with its scripture, and a short prayer. Free, no account.

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)Sat, Dec 25 · Solemnity
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephSun, Dec 26 · Feast
Saint John, Apostle and EvangelistMon, Dec 27 · Feast
The Holy Innocents, MartyrsTue, Dec 28 · Feast

✝ 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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