Sunday 24 December 2023

1When the king lived in his house,and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around,2the king said to Nathan the prophet,“See now, I dwell in a house of cedar,but God’s ark dwells within curtains.”

3Nathan said to the king,“Go, do all that is in your heart,for the Lord is with you.”

4That 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?· · · verses 6–7 are not read8Now therefore tell my servant David this:‘The Lord of Armies says,“I took you from the sheep pen,from following the sheep,to be prince over my people, over Israel.9I 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 on the earth.10I will appoint a place for my people Israel,and will plant them,that they may dwell in their own placeand be moved no more.The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first,11and as from the daythat I commanded judges to be over my people Israel.I will cause you to rest from all your enemies.Moreover the Lord tells youthat the Lord will make you a house.12When your days are fulfilledand 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.· · · verse 13 is not read14I will be his father, and he will be my son.If he commits iniquity,I will chasten him with the rod of menand with the stripes of the children of men;· · · verse 15 is not read16Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you.Your throne will be established forever.”’”

2I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.3I indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever.You established the heavens.Your faithfulness is in them.”

4“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,I have sworn to David, my servant,5‘I will establish your offspring forever,and build up your throne to all generations.’”

27He will call to me, ‘You are my Father,my God, and the rock of my salvation!’

29I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.My covenant will stand firm with him.

25Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good Newsand the preaching of Jesus Christ,according to the revelation of the mysterywhich has been kept secret through long ages,26but 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;27to the only wise God,through Jesus Christ,to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

26Now in the sixth month,the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house.The virgin’s name was Mary.28Having come in, the angel said to her,“Rejoice, you highly favored one!The Lord is with you.Blessed are you among women!”

29But when she saw him,she was greatly troubled at the saying,and considered what kind of salutation this might be.30The angel said to her,“Don’t be afraid, Mary,for you have found favor with God.31Behold, you will conceive in your womband give birth to a son,and shall name him ‘Jesus.’32He will be greatand will be called the Son of the Most High.The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever.There will be no end to his Kingdom.”

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

35The angel answered her,“The Holy Spirit will come on you,and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.Therefore also the holy onewho is born from you will be called the Son of God.36Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age;and this is the sixth month with herwho was called barren.37For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”

38Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord;let it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.