2024 Christmas Card

May your celebration of the Incarnation be filled with joy and love. May the Infant Jesus bless you with an abundance of grace and peace. May the Christ Child bestow upon you the gifts of the Spirit.

Merry Christmas, Everybody!

Proclamation Of The Birth Of Christ

Anno a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit coelum et terram, quinquies millesimo centesimo nonagesimo nono:
A diluvio vero, anno bis millesimo nongentesimo quinquagesimo septimo:
A nativitate Abrahae, anno bis millesimo quintodecimo:
A Moyse et egressu populi Israel de Aegypto, anno millesimo quingentesimo decimo:
Ab unctione David in regem, anno millesimo trigesimo secundo:
Hebdomoda sexagesima quinta juxta Danielis prophetiam:
Olympiade centesima nongentesima quarta:
Ab urbe Roma condita, anno septingentesimo quinquagesimo secundo:
Anno imperii Octaviani Augusti quadragesimo secundo:
Toto urbe in pace composito:
Sexta mundi aetate:
Jesus Christus aeternus Deus, aeternique Patris Filius, mundum volens adventu suo piisimo consecrare, de Spiritu Sancto conceptus, novemque post conceptionem decursus mensibus, in Bethlehem Judae nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus homo:
NATIVITAS DOMINI NOSTRI JESU CHRISTI SECUNDUM CARNEM!

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The year from the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created heaven and earth, five thousand one hundred and ninety-nine:
From the deluge, the year two thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven:
From the birth of Abraham, the year two thousand and fifteen:
From Moses and the going out of the people of Israel from Egypt, the year one thousand five hundred and ten:
From David's being anointed king, the year one thousand and thirty-two:
In the sixty-fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel:
In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad:
From the building of the city of Rome, the year seven hundred and fifty-two:
In the forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus:
The whole world being in peace:
In the sixth age of the world:
Jesus Christ, the eternal God, and Son of the eternal Father, wishing to consecrate this world by his most merciful coming, being conceived of the Holy Ghost, and nine months since his conception having passed, In Bethlehem of Juda is born of the Virgin Mary, being made Man:
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO THE FLESH!

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The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. 

When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7

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NOTES:
Originally posted as "Behold, I Bring You Good News"; 12/24/2005.
Linked in "Repeat The Sounding Joy"; 12/24/2006.
Re-posted 12/24/2007.
Re-posted 12/25/2008.
Re-posted 12/24/2009.
Re-posted 12/24/2010.
Re-posted 12/24/2011.
Re-posted 12/24/2012.
Re-posted 12/24/2013.
Re-posted 12/24/2014.
Re-posted 12/24/2015.
Re-posted 12/24/2016.
Re-posted 12/24/2017.
Re-posted 12/24/2018.

Re-posted 12/24/2019.

Re-posted 12/24/2020.

Re-posted 12/24/2021.

Re-posted 12/24/2022.

Re-posted 12/24/2023.

2024 Christmas Eve Reflection

The Gospel Reading from the Nativity of the Lord--Mass During The Day:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.

He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

    

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, 

‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’”

From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.

The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

Of all the verses in the Bible, these may be, in my very humble opinion, the most important. This is what is known as The Last Gospel, proclaimed after the dismissal in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. This is the culmination of all the readings proclaimed in the four Masses celebrated this day.

We acknowledge this with our very being, body and soul. We genuflect on this day (and also on the Solemnity of the Annunciation; this is a departure from the Extraordinary Form where it is done at any Mass when it is recited) when in the Nicene Creed we recite the corollary verse I have placed in boldface type and highlighted in red:  (A)nd by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. We also genuflect when we encounter these words in the Angelus.

The mystery of the Incarnation. God becoming human. The second Person of the Blessed Trinity taking on the form of a slave. The Creator visibly taking His place among His creation. This will be the focus of this year's reflection.

(As a side note, lest you think these are the only thoughts I gleaned, think again. I would wager a whole series of homilies and sermons have been preached on the Prologue of the fourth Gospel. There is so much to dissect and discern. Let's just say I have plenty of material for a few more Christmas Eve Reflections.)

"How could this be...?" Even if the Blessed Virgin Mary only asked this to the archangel Gabriel, she still spoke it in wonder. We humans may attempt to fathom the mind and will of God, but our efforts versus an infinite intelligence will only produce an infinitesimal answer at best. (Actually the best answer is to be still and know that He is God.) Compare this to when Zechariah asked a similar question regarding the conception of St. John the Baptist. He was made mute for nine months because of his doubt; the Theotokos will be called "blessed" forever.

"...(N)othing is impossible for God." Gabriel's reply shows how quickly we humans forget about God's omnipotence. We see it every day in creation since "the first day" when He created ex niliho. By an act of will, it came to be. We would do well to remember this when our wills "create" something. Unfortunately, because of Original Sin, we cannot say at times "it was good".

"Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more." How well we would do to also remember this. We can only overcome our faults and frailties "with the help of His grace". We cooperate with this grace when doing good. That is when we, made in the image and likeness of God, reflect Him more perfectly and become more like Him. As St. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians, we now only see Him dimly, as in a mirror.

We needed and need a Savior. The more broken we are from battling the world, the flesh, and the devil, the more we must acknowledge this is all too much for us. We cry, "Uncle!" We tap out. We crave and beg for mercy, as do all who recognize their sinfulness. The Divine Physician is the only one who can heal the wounds inflicted on us and at times are self-inflicted. The Son of God no less summons us to the universal call to holiness, to be perfected, to be one with Him as He is with the Father. 

“For the Son of God became man so that we might become God,” said St. Athanasius. Before the Fall, we were partakers in the divine nature of God. In order that we may share that distinction again, the consequences of the disobedience of Adam and Eve had to be reversed, so we could become the adopted children of God. But in order to do that, God had to become one like us in all things but sin. He truly had to veil Himself in human flesh, so that we may eventually see His glory. Of all the ways God could have redeemed us, He chose this way. He chose to be "the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

God had to become "Emmanuel".

And that is what we celebrate today.

Hodie Christus natus est.

"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."

DR Squared: The Nativity Of The Lord--Mass During The Day

First Reading:  Is 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, and that preacheth peace: of him that sheweth forth good, that preacheth salvation, that saith to Sion: Thy God shall reign! The voice of thy watchmen: they have lifted up their voice, they shall praise together: for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall convert Sion. Rejoice, and give praise together, O ye deserts of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people: he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath prepared his holy arm in the sight of all the Gentiles: and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Ps 98:3c; V. 1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

V. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because he hath done wonderful things.

     His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy.

V. The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the       Gentiles.

     He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel.

V. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

    Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing.

V. Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm:

    With long trumpets, and sound of cornet. Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king: 

Second Reading:  Heb 1:1-6

God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, making purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high. Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels hath he said at any time, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith: And let all the angels of God adore him.

Gospel Reading:  John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John beareth witness of him, and crieth out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: He that shall come after me, is preferred before me: because he was before me. And of his fulness we all have received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: The Nativity Of The Lord--Mass At Dawn

First Reading:  Isaiah 62:11-12

Behold the Lord hath made it to be heard in the ends of the earth, tell the daughter of Sion: Behold thy Saviour cometh: behold his reward is with him, and his work before him. And they shall call them, The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. But thou shalt be called: A city sought after, and not forsaken.

Responsorial Psalm:  V. Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12

V. The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad.

     The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory.

V. Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.

    Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness. 

Second Reading:  Titus 3:4-7

But when the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared:  Not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost; Whom he hath poured forth upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour:  That, being justified by his grace, we may be heirs, according to hope of life everlasting. 

Gospel Reading:  Luke 2:14

And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us. And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: The Nativity Of The Lord--Mass During The Night

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6

The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and hast not increased the joy. They shall rejoice before thee, as they that rejoice in the harvest, as conquerors rejoice after taking a prey, when they divide the spoils. For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of their shoulder, and the sceptre of their oppressor thou hast overcome, as in the day of Median. For every violent taking of spoils, with tumult, and garment mingled with blood, shall be burnt, and be fuel for the fire. For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Luke 2:11; V. Psalm 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13.

R. For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 

V.  Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle:

      sing to the Lord, all the earth.

      Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name:

V. (S)hew forth his salvation from day to day.

     Declare his glory among the Gentiles:

     his wonders among all people.

V. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and the fulness         thereof:

     The fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful. Then shall all the trees of the         woods rejoice

V. Before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: because he cometh to judge the earth.

    He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with his truth.

Second Reading:  Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God our Saviour hath appeared to all men; Instructing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world, Looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 2:1-14

And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David, To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people:  For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying:  Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: The Nativity of the Lord--Vigil Mass

First Reading:  Isaiah 62:1-5

For Sion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as brightness, and her saviour be lighted as a lamp. And the Gentiles shall see thy just one, and all kings thy glorious one: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. And thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be called Forsaken: and thy land shall no more be called Desolate: but thou shalt be called My pleasure in her, and thy land inhabited. Because the Lord hath been well pleased with thee: and thy land shall be inhabited. For the young man shall dwell with the virgin, and thy children shall dwell in thee. And the bridegroom shall rejoice over the bride, and thy God shall rejoice over thee. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 89 (88):2a; V. 4-5, 16-17, 27, 29

R. The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever.

V. I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant:

    Thy seed will I settle for ever. And I will build up thy throne unto generation and                   generation.

V. Blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation. They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of           thy countenance:

    And in thy name they shall rejoice all the day, and in thy justice they shall be exalted.

V. He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father: my God, and the support of my salvation.

     I will keep my mercy for him for ever: and my covenant faithful to him. 

Second Reading:  Acts 13:16-17, 22-25

Then Paul rising up, and with his hand bespeaking silence, said: Ye men of Israel, and you that fear God, give ear. The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they were sojourners in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought them out from thence. And when he had removed him, he raised them up David to be king: to whom giving testimony, he said: I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man according to my own heart, who shall do all my wills. Of this man's seed God according to his promise, hath raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus:  John first preaching, before his coming, the baptism of penance to all the people of Israel. And when John was fulfilling his course, he said: I am not he, whom you think me to be: but behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:  Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations, from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations.

(NB:  The Short Form begins below.)

Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying:  Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Hopeful Julbilaton

And so it begins.

Proclaimed on the Solemnity of the Ascension last May. the Universal Church celebrates a Jubilee Year in 2025. Held every 25 years since 1300 and on other occasions (eg--the Extraordinary Jubilee of 2015), this one will focus on hope:

The coming Jubilee will thus be a Holy Year marked by the hope that does not fade, our hope in God. May it help us to recover the confident trust that we require, in the Church and in society, in our interpersonal relationships, in international relations, and in our task of promoting the dignity of all persons and respect for God’s gift of creation. May the witness of believers be for our world a leaven of authentic hope, a harbinger of new heavens and a new earth (cf. 2 Pet 3:13), where men and women will dwell in justice and harmony, in joyful expectation of the fulfilment of the Lord’s promises.

Let us even now be drawn to this hope! Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it. May the way we live our lives say to them in so many words: “Hope in the Lord! Hold firm, take heart and hope in the Lord!” (Ps 27:14). May the power of hope fill our days, as we await with confidence the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and glory, now and forever.

The doors are opening soon around the world.

Let us enter into His courts with thanksgiving.

 

DR Squared: Schedule Update

The readings for the four Masses of The Nativity Of Lord will all be published today, so as to not distract from the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child.

Starting in three hours, they will come at five minute intervals.

This will give you the opportunity to focus on them as part of your final spiritual preparation.

"Come to Bethlehem and see."

 

DR Squared: Tuesday Of the Fourth Week Of Advent--Mass In The Morning (Year I)

First Reading:  2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

And it came to pass when the king sat in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, He said to Nathan the prophet: Dost thou see that I dwell in a house of cedar, and the ark of God is lodged within skins? And Nathan said to the king: Go, do all that is in thy heart: because the Lord is with thee. But it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:  Go, and say to my servant David: Thus saith the Lord: Shalt thou build me a house to dwell in? I took thee out of the pastures from following the sheep to be ruler over my people Israel:  And I have been with thee wheresoever thou hast walked, and have slain all thy enemies from before thy face: and I have made thee a great man, like unto the name of the great ones that are on the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them, and they shall dwell therein, and shall be disturbed no more: neither shall the children of iniquity afflict them any more as they did before, From the day that I appointed judges over my people Israel: and I will give thee rest from all thy enemies. And the Lord foretelleth to thee, that the Lord will make thee a house. And when thy days shall be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son:  And thy house shall be faithful, and thy kingdom for ever before thy face, and thy throne shall be firm for ever. 

Responsorial Psalm:  89 (88):2; V. 2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29

R. The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever.

V. The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth         to generation and generation.

     For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: thy truth shall be             prepared in them.

V. I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant:

    Thy seed will I settle for ever. And I will build up thy throne unto generation and                  generation.

V. He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father: my God, and the support of my salvation.

     I will keep my mercy for him for ever: and my covenant faithful to him.

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:67-79

And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Ghost; and he prophesied, saying:  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people:  And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant:  As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning:  Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us:  To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy testament, The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us, That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear, In holiness and justice before him, all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways:  To give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission of their sins:  Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us: To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found