December 20 - Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

First Reading  Micah 5:1-4
The ruler of Israel is promised to come from Bethlehem.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19
A prayer for God's salvation

Second Reading  Hebrews 10:5-10
Through his obedience to God's will, Christ consecrated all.

Gospel Reading
Luke 1:39-45

Our Gospel reading recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles that they and their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. If we were to continue to read the verses that follow in Luke's Gospel, we would hear Mary respond to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing favor upon the people of Israel.