First Reading

2 Samuel 7, 1-5. 8-12. 14. 16

As soon as King David settled into his palace and the Lord granted him rest from all the enemies surrounding him, the king said to the prophet Nathan: “Have you noticed that I live in a cedar house, while the ark of God remains lodged in a tent?” Nathan replied: “Go and do everything your heart dictates, for the Lord is with you”.

That same night the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: “Go and tell my servant David that the Lord commands him to say this: ‘Do you think you will be the one to build me a house to dwell in? I took you from the sheepfolds and from following the sheep, to be the leader of my people, Israel. I will be with you in all that you undertake, I will finish off your enemies and make you as famous as the most famous men on earth.

I will assign a place to my people, Israel; I will plant them there so that they may dwell in their own land. They will live in peace and their enemies will no longer oppress them, as they have done from the time I appointed judges to govern my people, Israel. And to you, David, I will give rest from all your enemies.

Moreover, I, the Lord, make known to you that I will give you a dynasty; and when your days are fulfilled and you rest forever with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. I will be a father to him and he will be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me, and your throne will be established forever.’”

Gospel

Luke 1:67-79

At that time, Zechariah, father of John, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people,
and has raised up a mighty savior for us
in the house of David his servant,
as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all who hate us,
to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant.

The oath the Lord swore to our father Abraham
to grant us, freed from our enemies,
to worship him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways
and to proclaim to his people the salvation,
through forgiveness of sins.

Through the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”