12.21.2014

Today's Bible story

December 21, 2014

We hope that today is a good day.

◇ Daily Readings December 21, 2014
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122114.cfm

◇ December 21, 2014 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/14_12_21.mp3

The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David's house. The virgin's name was Mary.

28 Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favoured one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you amongst women!"

29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.

30 The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.

31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name 'Jesus.'

32 He 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,

33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."

34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"

35 The 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.

36 Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.

37 For nothing spoken by God is impossible."†

38 Mary said, "Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."
The angel departed from her.


†1:37: or, "For everything spoken by God is possible."

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

1 When the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around,

2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but God's ark dwells within curtains."

3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart; for the LORD is with you."

4 That same night, the LORD's word came to Nathan, saying,

5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'the LORD says, "Should you build me a house for me to dwell in?

8b"I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel.

9 I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.

10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first,

11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD tells you that the LORD will make you a house.

12 When your days are fulfilled, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring* after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.

14a I will be his father, and he will be my son.

16 Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever."'"


*7:12: or, seed

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Romans 14:25-27

24 Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages,

25 but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;

26 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.*


*14:26: TR places verses 24-26 after Romans 16:24 as verses 25-27.

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◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Luke&chapter=1&verse=

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Luke.1

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◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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