First Reading 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Read in the CPDV: 2 Samuel 7
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Mass Readings for Sunday, December 20, 2026
On Sunday, December 20, 2026, the Church in the United States celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year B); the liturgical color is violet. The Gospel is Luke 1:26-38.
The liturgical day
Liturgical color
Violet
- Celebration
- Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Season
- Advent · Week 4
- Rank
- Sunday
- Sunday cycle
- Year B
- Weekday cycle
- Cycle I
Mass readings US
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Read in the CPDV: Psalm 89 (88 in the Vulgate)
Second Reading Romans 16:25-27
25But to him who is able to confirm you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, in accord with the revelation of the mystery which has been hidden from time immemorial,
26(which now has been made clear through the Scriptures of the Prophets, in accord with the precept of the eternal God, unto the obedience of faith) which has been made known among all the Gentiles:
27to God, who alone is wise, through Jesus Christ, to him be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Catholic Public Domain Version
Read in the CPDV: The whole of Romans 16
Alleluia Luke 1:38
Read in the CPDV: Luke 1
Gospel Luke 1:26-38
26Then, in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God, to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary.
28And upon entering, the Angel said to her: “Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
29And when she had heard this, she was disturbed by his words, and she considered what kind of greeting this might be.
30And the Angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God.
31Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and you shall bear a son, and you shall call his name: JESUS.
32He will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. And he will reign in the house of Jacob for eternity.
33And his kingdom shall have no end.”
34Then Mary said to the Angel, “How shall this be done, since I do not know man?”
35And in response, the Angel said to her: “The Holy Spirit will pass over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And because of this also, the Holy One who will be born of you shall be called the Son of God.
36And behold, your cousin Elizabeth has herself also conceived a son, in her old age. And this is the sixth month for her who is called barren.
37For no word will be impossible with God.”
38Then Mary said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the Angel departed from her.
Catholic Public Domain Version
Read in the CPDV: The whole of Luke 1
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar.
In US parishes the readings are proclaimed from the NABRE; the text shown here is the Catholic Public Domain Version.
Old Testament readings and the psalm are listed with a link to their chapter: the US Lectionary numbers some of their verses differently from the CPDV, so their text is not printed here. Psalm citations keep the Lectionary’s Hebrew numbering; the CPDV numbers the Psalms as the Vulgate does.
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Saint of the day
Abbot · Remembered on December 20
The day’s Mass celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Advent.