4th Sunday of Advent

The 4th Sunday of Advent is time to actively prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have we made a home for him in our hearts? What do we need to do during this final week to make room for him in our lives?. Here are some resources for youth ministers, catechists, teachers, and parents – the first teachers of their children.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, games, lesson plans, and more for the 4th Sunday of Advent.

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year A

• First Reading – Isaiah 7:10-14: “The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24: “Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.”
• Second Reading – Romans 1:1-7: “The gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
• Gospel – Matthew 1:18-24: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.”

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year B

• First Reading – 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16: “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.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 89: “For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.”
• Second Reading – Romans 16:25-27: “The revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations.”
• Gospel – Luke 1:26-38: “But Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?’ And the angel said to her in reply, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.’”

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year C

• First Reading – Micah 5:1-4A: “Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 80: “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”
• Second Reading – Hebrews 10:5-10: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’”
• Gospel – Luke 3:10-18: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’”

Pray the O Antiphons

The “O Antiphons” are part of the evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours for December 17 to December 23. In them, Old Testament imagery is used to proclaim the coming of the Christ child.  Incorporate them into your family prayer this advent.

Go See a Christmas Light Display

So spend a little time looking at the lights. Go see a large Christmas light display somewhere or just drive around your neighborhood and see how beautiful it looks. After you see some great displays, remind your family what the Bible says

Sing Some Christmas Carols

Sing some Christmas carols during the Advent and Christmas seasons. You can go out caroling with an organized group or just sing a few at a family gathering. Include plenty of songs which focus on Christ.

Why Linus Drops His Blanket in A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas emphasizes the religious nature of the Christmas holiday. But did you ever notice that Linus drops his blanket during the show?