December 21, 2025 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

+ From the Gospel according to Matthew (1:18-24)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place on this wise. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly.
But while he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit, and she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.”
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife home.

The word of the Lord