Sunday between 18 and 24 December    

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C)

First Reading - Micah 5.2-5a

A reading from the book of the prophet Micah. You, O Bethlehem, are one of the smallest of all the clans of Judah. And yet from you will come the one who is to rule for me in all Israel, whose origin is long ago, in ancient days, says the Lord. Israel will be desolate until the mother brings forth this child. But then all Israel will be gathered together. And this child will stand tall, and tend the flock, as a good shepherd, in the strength of the Lord, and in the majesty of the name of the Lord God. And the people will dwell in peace. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Hebrews 10.1,4-7,10

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews. The old law contained only a shadow of the good things that were yet to come. Under that law, the same sacrifices were offered continually, year after year, demonstrating that they can never make perfect those who offer them; that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin. So when Christ comes into the world, he says, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired. In burnt-offerings, and sin-offerings, you have taken no pleasure. But a body you have given me. See, O God, I have come to do your will.’

And so, it is by God’s will that we have now been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Luke 1.39-55

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Mary set out and went with haste to a town in the hill country of Judah, where she entered the house of Zekariah, and greeted Elizabeth. And Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to Mary, ‘Blessed are you amongst women! And blessed is the child that you will bear! And blessed am I, that the mother of my Lord should come to me! For as soon as I heard your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy! Blessed indeed are you, for trusting that the message spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul gives praise to you, O Lord. My spirit rejoices in you, my God and Saviour. For you have looked with favour on your lowly servant. All generations will call me blessed, for you have done great things for me. Holy is your name! Your mercy is on all who honour you, in every generation. You have revealed your power, and scattered the proud in their vanity. You have brought down the powerful, and lifted up the lowly. You have filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. In your everlasting mercy you have come to the help of your lowly people, fulfilling the promise you made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants, for ever.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.