Lessons for December 18, 2005 – Fourth Sunday in Advent The first lesson 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 When the Lord had brought peace to the land and King David was settled in his palace, 2David summoned Nathan the prophet. "Look!" David said. "Here I am living in this beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out in a tent!" 3Nathan replied, "Go ahead and do what you have in mind, for the Lord is with you." 4But that same night the Lord said to Nathan, 5"Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a temple to live in? 6I have never lived in a temple, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until now. My home has always been a tent, moving from one place to another. 7And I have never once complained to Israel's leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, "Why haven't you built me a beautiful cedar temple?" ' 8 "Now go and say to my servant David, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: I chose you to lead my people Israel when you were just a shepherd boy, tending your sheep out in the pasture. 9I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies. Now I will make your name famous throughout the earth! 10And I have provided a permanent homeland for my people Israel, a secure place where they will never be disturbed. It will be their own land where wicked nations won't oppress them as they did in the past, 11from the time I appointed judges to rule my people. And I will keep you safe from all your enemies. " 'And now the Lord declares that he will build a house for you—a dynasty of kings! Your dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before me, and your throne will be secure forever.' " (NLT) Luke 1:47-55 L. How I rejoice in God my Savior! C. For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, L. and now generation after generation will call me blessed. C. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. L. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. C. His mighty arm does tremendous things! L. How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! C. He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. L. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. C. And how he has helped his servant Israel! L. He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. C. For he promised our ancestors—Abraham and his children—to be merciful to them forever." (NLT) The second lesson Romans 16:25-27 God is able to make you strong, just as the Good News says. It is the message about Jesus Christ and his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they might believe and obey Christ. 27To God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!" 29Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30"Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you! 31You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!" 34Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin." 35The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God." 38Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." And then the angel left. (NLT)