Monday of the 4th week of Advent

10The LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying, 11“Ask a sign of the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.” 12But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask. I won’t tempt the LORD.” 13He said, “Listen now, house of David. Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also? 14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

1The earth is the LORD’s, with its fullness;

the world, and those who dwell in it.

2For he has founded it on the seas,

and established it on the floods.

3Who may ascend to the LORD’s hill?

Who may stand in his holy place?

4He who has clean hands and a pure heart;

who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood,

and has not sworn deceitfully.

5He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,

righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6This is the generation of those who seek Him,

who seek your face—even Jacob. Selah.

26Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” 29But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’ 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?” 35The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. 36Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing spoken by God is impossible.” 38Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.