Holy Spirit Catholic Church Fountain Valley

	November 29 - 1^st Sunday of Advent. Today begins the Liturgical Year, cycle C. 1^st reading - Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; 2^nd reading -1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2; Gospel Luke 21:25-28, 34-36; We walk in the way of the Lord [Ps 25:4] obeying His Commandment of Love [1 Thess 3:12] in watchful [Lk 21:34-36] for the day of His return to establish His visible Kingdom [Jer 33:14-16] For more on Advent see web link
	December 6 - 2^nd Sunday of Advent - 1^st reading - Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126:1-6; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Gospel Luke 3:1-6; John proclaims the coming of the Lord [Lk 3:4-6] and we are called to prepare for His return [Phil 1:10-11] when the all the prophesies [Bar 5:1-9 and Ps 126] will be fulfilled
December 8 - 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
	December 12 - 3^rd Sunday of Advent known as GAUDETE SUNDAY. Gaudete or Rejoice because we are halfway through Advent. 1^st reading - Zephaniah 3:14-18; [Psalm] Isaiah 12:2-6; 2^nd reading - Philippians 4:4-7; Gospel - Luke 3:10-18; John instructs the people [Lk 3:10-14] to live in anticipation of the Lord’s coming and Paul calls on us [Phil 4:4-7] to be prepared for the great day of His long awaited return [Is 12:2-6 and Zeph 3:14-18] For more see web link
	December 13 - Our Lady of Guadalupe [Feast] 1^st reading - Revelation 11:19, 12:1-6, 10; Psalm Judith 13:18-19; Gospel Luke 1:39-47. Judith, Blessed by God [Psalm verse] was a type for Mary, Most Blessed among women [Luke 1:42]. She carried in her womb the Word of God in the flesh. Thus she is the Ark of the New Covenant, just as The Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament contained the Word of God on the stone tablets. She leads us to battle [Revelation 11:19] with evil as the Ark of the Old Testament led the Israelis to battle.
	December 20 - 4^th Sunday of Advent. 1^st reading - Micah 5:1-4; Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; 2^nd reading - Hebrews 10:5-10; Gospel - Luke 1:39-45; Elizabeth recognizes in Mary [Lk 1:43]the prophesied [Heb 10:5-7 and Mic 5:1-4] answer to man’s age-long plea for salvation [Ps 80:3]

	CHRISTMASTIDE
December 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE [Vigil Mass] 1^st reading - Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 19; 2^nd reading - Acts of the Apostles 13:16-17, 22-25; Gospel Matthew 1:1-25 Jesus, Son of David, comes, save us from our sins [Mt 1:21] and reunite us with God [Is 62:4, Ps 89:29] as explained by Paul [Acts 13:22-25]
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 27 - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph [Feast]. 1^st reading - Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3; Psalm 105:1-6, 8-9; 2^nd reading - Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Gospel 2:22-40. The Holy Family is blessed by Simeon [Lk 2:28] commemorating God’s blessing of Abraham and Sarah and Isaac [Gen 15:5; Ps 105:8-9; Heb 11:8-12] For more see web link

READING FOR DECEMBER Cycle C	Return to Sunday Readings Index
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