December 18
Advent Weekday
Today, the Church observes an Advent weekday—one of the special days in the latter part of the Advent season, drawing ever closer to the Nativity of the Lord. These final days of Advent, from December 17th through December 23rd, are marked particularly by the recitation or singing of the 'O Antiphons' during Vespers, ancient prayers that express the yearning of Israel for the coming Messiah. The liturgical color of violet reminds the faithful of the season’s penitential and preparatory character, inviting all to repentance, reflection, and hopeful expectation.
The prayers and readings at Mass become more focused on the approaching birth of Christ, helping Christians enter more deeply into the mystery of the Incarnation. It is a time for silence, watchfulness, and trusting prayer, as the Church waits for the fulfillment of God’s promises. These days encourage believers to prepare their hearts spiritually, to embrace humility, and to renew their hope in Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel — 'God with us.'
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Mass readings
ReadingJr 23, 5-8
The days are coming – oracle of the Lord –
when I will raise up a righteous Branch for David:
he shall reign as king and act wisely,
he shall exercise justice and righteousness in the land.
In those days Judah will be saved,
and Israel will dwell in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
“The-Lord-Is-Our-Righteousness.”
Therefore, the days are coming
– oracle of the Lord –
when, to swear an oath, they will no longer say:
“As the Lord lives,
who brought the people of Israel up from the land of Egypt”,
but rather:
“As the Lord lives,
who brought up the people of the house of Israel from the land of the north,
who brought them back from all the lands where he had banished them.”
For they will dwell on their own land.
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 71 (72), 1-2, 12-13, 18-19
O God, give your judgments to the king,
to the king’s son your righteousness.
May he govern your people with justice,
may he defend the rights of the poor!
He will rescue the poor who call to him
and the helpless who have no help.
He will have concern for the weak and the needy,
for the poor whose life he saves.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
he alone works wonders!
Blessed forever his glorious name,
may all the earth be filled with his glory! Amen! Amen!
GospelMt 1, 18-24
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:
Mary, his mother,
had been betrothed to Joseph;
before they lived together,
she was found to be with child
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Joseph, her husband,
who was a just man
and did not want to expose her publicly,
decided to divorce her quietly.
As he was considering this,
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 into your home,
for the child conceived in her
is from the Holy Spirit;
she will bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus
(that is, The-Lord-saves),
for it is he who will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place
to fulfill
the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet:
Behold, the Virgin shall conceive,
and will bear a son;
they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means: “God-with-us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him:
he took his wife into his home.
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org