First ReadingMicah 5:1-4

Now you are walled about with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike upon the cheek the ruler of Israel. But you, O Bethlehem Eph′rathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who has labor pains has brought forth; then the rest of his brethren shall return to the sons of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

Alternate First ReadingRomans 8:28-30

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, l who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-­born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Responsorial PsalmPsalm 13:5, 6

℟With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

I have trusted in your merciful love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

℟With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

℟With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Alleluia

℟Alleluia!

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

℟Alleluia!

GospelMatthew 1:1-16, 18-23

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Per′ez and Ze′rah by Ta′mar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram a the father of Ammin′adab, and Am­minadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Sal­ mon the father of Boaz by Ra′hab, and Boaz the father of O′bed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uri′ah, and Solomon the father of Rehobo′am, and Re­hobo’am the father of Abi′jah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of

Jehosh′aphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Jo′ram, and Joram the father of Uzzi′ah, and Uzzi′ah the father of Jo′tham, and Jo­’tham the father of A′haz, and Ahaz the father of Heze­ ki′ah, and Hezeki′ah the father of Manas′seh, and Ma­nas’seh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josi′ah, and Josi′ah the father of Jecho­ ni′ah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon Jechoni′ah was the father of She­ al′ti­ el, and Shealti­el the father of Zerub′babel, and Zerub′babel the father of Abi′ud, and Abiud the father of Eli′akim, and Eli’akim the father of A′zor, and A′zor the father of Za′dok, and Zadok the father of A′chim, and Achim the father of Eli′ud, and Eli′ud the father of Elea′zar, and Eleazar the father of Mat­than, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of

whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us).

Alternate GospelMatthew 1:18-23

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us).