ADVENT

December 1 - 1^st Sunday of Advent.  Today begins the Liturgical Year, cycle A. 1^st reading - Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122:1-9: 2^nd reading  - Romans 13:11=14;  Gospel Matthew 24:37-44   The Day of the Lord coming is ever closer [Rom 13:11]  He comes to judge [Ps 122:5] and bring peace [Is 2:4]  Let us always be prepared [ Mt 42-43]  For more on Advent see web link
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01165a.htm Advent

December 8- 2^nd Sunday of Advent - 1^st reading - Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15:4-9; Gospel Matthew 3:1-12.  John the Baptist announced [Mt 3:3] the fulfillment of the prophecy [Is 11:1-2] , the coming of the promised King [Ps 72:1-2] for all peoples [Rom 15:8-9]

December 9 - IMMACULATE CONCEPTION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY [Solemnity and Holy Day of Obligation] 1^st reading - Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98:1-4; 2^nd reading  - Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12;  Gospel Luke 1:26-38.   Mary, filled with grace [Lk 1:28], the eternal enemy of the serpent [Gen 3:15], was chosen [Eph 1:11-12] to be the Mother of Jesus, our salvation [Ps 98:3-4] For more see Saints Calendar
For more see Saints Calendar 

December 15- 3^rd Sunday of Advent known as GAUDETE SUNDAY. Gaudete or Rejoice because we are halfway through Advent. 1^st reading - Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; Psalm 146:6-10; 2^nd reading  - James 5:7-10; Gospel - Matthew 11:2-11.  Jesus comes fulfilling [Mt 11:4-6] the promises [Is 35:5-6 & Ps 146:8-9] but we wait for the full growth of His Kingdom [Jas 5:7-8]  For more see web link
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06394b.htm Gaudete 

December 22 - 4^th Sunday of Advent. 1^st reading - Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-6; 2^nd reading - Romans 1:1-7; Gospel Matthew 1:18-24.  Jesus [Mt 1:22-23] is the promised [Ps 24:4-5] Son of David [Rom 1:3-4] the Son of the Virgin [Is 7:14]

CHRISTMASTIDE

December 25 - NATIVITY of the LORD [Midnight] 1^st reading - Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalm 96:1-3, 11-13; 2^nd reading - Titus 2:11-14; Gospel Luke 2:1-14  Glory to God in the Highest [Lk 2:14] A child is born to us, a son is given us [Is 9:5-6] Let us exult [Ps96:13] for the Grace of God has appeared [Tit 2:11]

                                    [Dawn] 1^st reading -  Isaiah 62:11-12; Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12; 2^nd reading - Titus 3:4-7; Gospel Luke 2:15-20  Let us, with the shepherds, glorify and praise God [Lk 2:20] The Lord is king [Ps 97:1] He proclaims to the ends of the earth that our savior comes [Is 62:11, Tit 3:4]

                                     [Daytime] 1^st reading -  Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1-6; 2^nd reading - Hebrews 1:1-6; Gospel John 1:1-18  God now sends us His Son [Heb 1:2], The Word brings us Light [Jn 1:4-5] He brings Good News [Is 52:7] and make salvation known to the ends of the earth [Ps 98:3-4]

For more see Saints Calendar 

December 29 - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph [Feast]. 1^st reading - Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-5; 2^nd reading - Colossians 3:12-21; Gospel Luke Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23  Jesus, though God, grew in the protection of His family [Mt 2:13-15, 19-21] following God’s plan [Sir 3:1-2, Ps 128:3] to unite us in one family [Col 3:15]  For more see web link
http://www.cin.org/books/knowx6.html Holy Family