Seven days until Christmas

Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward men!

Mt:1:1 ¶ The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:2 Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren.3 And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram.4 And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon.5 And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse.6 And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias.7 And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa.8 And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias.9 And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias.10 And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias.11 And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon.12 And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel.13 And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor.14 And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud.15 And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob.16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.17 So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations.18 ¶ Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.19 Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.20 But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.21 And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins.22 Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying:23 Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.24 And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.25 And he knew her not till she brought forth her first born son: and he called his name Jesus.(DRV)

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Lk:3:1 ¶ Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilina:2 Under the high priests Anna and Caiphas: the word of the Lord was made unto John, the son of Zachary, in the desert.3 And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins.4 As it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.5 Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways plain.6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.7 He said therefore to the multitudes that went forth to be baptized by him: Ye offspring of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance: and do not begin to say, We have Abraham for our father. For I say unto you that God is able of these stones, to raise up children to Abraham.9 For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire.10 And the people asked him, saying: What then shall we do?11 And he answering, said to them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner.12 And the publicans also came to be baptized and said to him: Master, what shall we do?13 But he said to them: Do nothing more than that which is appointed you.14 And the soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man, neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay.15 ¶ And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ:16 John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water: but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire;17 Whose fan is in his hand: and he will purge his floor and will gather the wheat into his barn: but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.18 And many other things exhorting did he preach to the people.19 But Herod the tetrarch, when he was reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done:20 He added this also above all and shut up John in prison.21 ¶ Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also being baptized and praying, heaven was opened.22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, as a dove, upon him. And a voice came from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son. In thee I am well pleased.23 And Jesus himself was beginning about the age of thirty years: being (as it was supposed) the son of Joseph, who was of Heli, who was of Mathat,24 Who was of Levi, who was of Melchi. who was of Janne, who was of Joseph,25 Who was of Mathathias, who was of Amos, who was of Nahum, who was of Hesli, who was of Nagge,26 Who was of Mahath, who was of Mathathias, who was of Semei, who was of Joseph, who was of Juda,27 Who was of Joanna, who was of Reza, who was of Zorobabel, who was of Salathiel, who was of Neri,28 Who was of Melchi, who was of Addi, who was of Cosan, who was of Helmadan, who was of Her,29 Who was of Jesus, who was of Eliezer, who was of Jorim, who was of Mathat, who was of Levi,30 Who was of Simeon, who was of Judas, who was of Joseph, who was of Jona, who was of Eliakim,31 Who was of Melea, who was of Menna, who was of Mathatha, who was of Nathan, who was of David,32 Who was of Jesse, who was of Obed, who was of Booz, who was of Salmon, who was of Naasson,33 Who was of Aminadab, who was of Aram, who was of Esron, who was of Phares, who was of Judas,34 Who was of Jacob, who was of Isaac, who was of Abraham, who was of Thare, who was of Nachor,35 Who was of Sarug, who was of Ragau, who was of Phaleg, who was of Heber, who was of Sale,36 Who was of Cainan, who was of Arphaxad, who was of Sem, who was Of Noe, who was of Lamech,37 Who was of Mathusale, who was of Henoch, who was of Jared, who was of Malaleel, who was of Cainan,38 Who was of Henos, who was of Seth, who was of Adam, who was of God.(DRV)

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Jn:1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God: and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made.4 In him was life: and the life was the light of men.5 ¶ And the light shineth in darkness: and the darkness did not comprehend it.6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.7 This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him.8 He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light.9 That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world.10 He was in the world: and the world was made by him: and the world knew him not.11 He came unto his own: and his own received him not.12 But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name.13 Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.15 ¶ John beareth witness of him and crieth out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: He that shall come after me is preferred before me: because he was before me.16 And of his fulness we all have received: and grace for grace.17 For the law was given by Moses: grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.18 No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the Bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.19 ¶ And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art thou?20 And he confessed and did not deny: and he confessed: I am not the Christ.21 And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered: No.22 They said therefore unto him: Who art thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What sayest thou of thyself?23 He said: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.24 And they that were sent were of the Pharisees.25 And they asked him and said to him: Why then dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet?26 John answered them, saying: I baptize with water: but there hath stood one in the midst of you, whom you know not.27 The same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me: the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose.28 These things were done in Bethania, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.29 ¶ The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him; and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who taketh away the sin of the world.30 This is he of whom I said: After me there cometh a man, who is preferred before me: because he was before me.31 And I knew him not: but that he may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.32 And John gave testimony, saying: I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven; and he remained upon him.33 And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me: He upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, he it is that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.34 And I saw: and I gave testimony that this is the Son of God.35 The next day again John stood and two of his disciples.36 And beholding Jesus walking, he saith: Behold the Lamb of God.37 ¶ And the two disciples heard him speak: and they followed Jesus.38 And Jesus turning and seeing them following him, saith to them: What seek you? Who said to him: Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou?39 He saith to them: Come and see. They came and saw where he abode: and they stayed with him that day. Now it was about the tenth hour.40 And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard of John and followed him.41 He findeth first his brother Simon and saith to him: We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.42 And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona. Thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.43 ¶ On the following day, he would go forth into Galilee: and he findeth Philip, And Jesus saith to him: follow me.44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.45 Philip findeth Nathanael and saith to him: We have found him of whom Moses, in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus the son of Joseph of Nazareth.46 And Nathanael said to him: Can any thing of good come from Nazareth? Philip saith to him: Come and see.47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and he saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.48 Nathanael saith to him: Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said to him: Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.49 Nathanael answered him and said: Rabbi: Thou art the Son of God. Thou art the King of Israel.50 Jesus answered and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see.51 And he saith to him: Amen, amen, I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.(DRV)

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Lk:1:1 ¶ Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a narration of the things that have been accomplished among us,2 According as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word:3 It seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,4 That thou mayest know the verity of those words in which thou hast been instructed.5 ¶ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachary, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.6 And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame.7 And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren: and they both were well advanced in years.8 And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God,9 According to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord.10 And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense.11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.12 And Zachary seeing him, was troubled: and fear fell upon him.13 But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard: and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son. And thou shalt call his name John.14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness: and many shall rejoice in his nativity.15 For he shall be great before the Lord and shall drink no wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.16 And he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias: that he may turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just, to prepare unto the Lord a perfect people.18 And Zachary said to the angel: Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.19 And the angel answering, said to him: I am Gabriel, who stand before God and am sent to speak to thee and to bring thee these good tidings.20 And behold, thou shalt be dumb and shalt not be able to speak until the day wherein these things shall come to pass: because thou hast not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled in their time.21 And the people were waiting for Zachary: and they wondered that he tarried so long in the temple.22 And when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they understood that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he made signs to them and remained dumb.23 And it came to pass, after the days of his office were accomplished, he departed to his own house.24 And after those days, Elizabeth his wife conceived and hid herself five months, saying:25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he hath had regard to take away my reproach among men.26 ¶ And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary.28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.29 Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.30 And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus.32 He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.33 And of his kingdom there shall be no end.34 And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man?35 And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.36 And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren.37 Because no word shall be impossible with God.38 And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.39 ¶ And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda.40 And she entered into the house of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth.41 And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.43 And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44 For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.45 And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.46 And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord.47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.48 Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.49 Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name.50 And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.51 He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.52 He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble.53 He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.54 He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy.55 As he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his seed for ever.56 And Mary abode with her about three months. And she returned to her own house.57 ¶ Now Elizabeth's full time of being delivered was come: and she brought forth a son.58 And her neighbors and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had shewed his great mercy towards her: and they congratulated with her.59 And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they called him by his father's name Zachary.60 And his mother answering, said: Not so. But he shall be called John.61 And they said to her: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.63 And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all wondered.64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed: and he spoke, blessing God.65 And fear came upon all their neighbours: and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill country of Judea.66 And all they that had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: What an one, think ye, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.67 ¶ And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Ghost. And he prophesied, saying:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people.69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant.70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning.71 Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us.72 To perform mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy testament.73 The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us.74 That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear:75 In holiness and justice before him, all our days.76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt, go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways:77 To give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission of their sins.78 Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us:79 To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace.80 And the child grew and was strengthened in spirit: and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.(DRV)

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Mt:2:1 ¶ When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem,2 Saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him.3 And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4 And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.5 But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:6 And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.7 Then Herod, privately calling the wise men learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them;8 And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him.9 ¶ Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.10 And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.11 And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him: and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12 And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.13 ¶ And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.14 Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod:15 That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.16 ¶ Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry: and sending killed all the menchildren that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying:18 A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.19 ¶ But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt,20 Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child.21 Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.22 But hearing that Archclaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee.23 And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene.(DRV)

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