Liturgical Information
The Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)
Liturgical Color: Violet [Note: The color blue is not an authorized liturgical color in the United States.
Its unfortunate occurrence during the season of Advent or for Marian feasts is not legitimate.]
Themes & Motives: Mary, promise, love, God-with-us, Savior, hospitality, service
Introit:
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. (Isaiah 45:8)
Opening Prayer:
Lord,
fill our hearts with your love,
and as you revealed to us by an angel
the coming of your Son as man,
so lead us through his suffering and death
to the glory of his resurrection,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lectionary Readings:
- Isaiah 7:10-14 [The virgin will be with child and bear a son. /v.14]
- Psalm 24:1-2 / 3-4 / 5-6 [R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. /v.7,10]
- Romans 1:1-7 [Christ Jesus was born of the seed of David according to the flesh. /v.3]
- Gospel Verse: Matthew 1:23 [A virgin will give birth to a son; his name will be Emmanuel: God is with us.]
- Matthew 1:18-24 [Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. /v.18]
Offertory Antiphon:
Rejoice, O highly favored daughter!
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blest is the fruit of your womb.
Verses of Psalm 25 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.
Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
may the power of the Spirit,
which sanctified Mary the mother of your Son,
make holy the gifts we place upon this altar.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Preface for Advent II: [Waiting for the Two Comings of Christ]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
His future coming was proclaimed by all the prophets.
The virgin mother bore him in her womb with love beyond all telling.
John the Baptist was his herald
and made him known when at last he came.
In his love Christ has filled us with joy
as we prepare to celebrate his birth,
so that when he comes he may find us watching in prayer,
our hearts filled with wonder and praise.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven
we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord...
Communion Antiphon:
The Virgin is with child and shall bear a son, and she will call him Emmanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
Prayer after Communion:
Lord,
in this sacrament
we receive the promise of salvation;
as Christmas draws near
make us grow in faith and love
to celebrate the coming of Christ our Savior,
who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer over the People:
Lord,
may all Christian people both know and cherish
the heavenly gifts they have received.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published.
The offertory antiphon used here is cited in Latin in the Graduale Romanum.
The English is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.
The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion, and Solemn Blessing from The Roman Missal, © Copyright 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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