December 20, 2026

1After the king had taken up residence in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, 2the king said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent!” 3Nathan answered the king, “Whatever is in your heart, go and do, for the LORD is with you.” 4But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the LORD: Is it you who would build me a house to dwell in? 8Now then, speak thus to my servant David, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel. 9I was with you wherever you went, and I cut down all your enemies before you. And I will make your name like that of the greatest on earth. 10I will assign a place for my people Israel and I will plant them in it to dwell there; they will never again be disturbed, nor shall the wicked ever again oppress them, as they did at the beginning, 11and from the day when I appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you: 12when your days have been completed and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, sprung from your loins, and I will establish his kingdom. 14I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. If he does wrong, I will reprove him with a human rod and with human punishments; 16Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me; your throne shall be firmly established forever.

2A I - I will sing of your mercy forever, LORD proclaim your faithfulness through all ages. 3For I said, “My mercy is established forever; my faithfulness will stand as long as the heavens. 4I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: 5I will make your dynasty stand forever and establish your throne through all ages.” Selah 27He shall cry to me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock of my salvation!’ 29Forever I will maintain my mercy for him; my covenant with him stands firm.

25[ Now to him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages 26but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, 27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.]

38Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

26In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.