First Sunday of Advent

Collect
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen

First Lesson: Zechariah 14:4-9
On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime--a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light.

On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter.

The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.

Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Psalm: 50

  1. The LORD, the God of gods, has spoken; *
    he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to
    its setting.
  2. Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, *
    God reveals himself in glory.
  3. Our God will come and will not keep silence; *
    before him there is a consuming flame,
    and round about him a raging storm.
  4. He calls the heavens and the earth from above *
    to witness the judgment of his people.
  5. "Gather before me my loyal followers, *
    those who have made a covenant with me
    and sealed it with sacrifice."
  6. Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; *
    for God himself is judge.
  7. Hear, O my people, and I will speak:
    "O Israel, I will bear witness against you; *
    for I am God, your God.
  8. I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices; *
    your offerings are always before me.
  9. I will take no bull-calf from your stalls, *
    nor he-goats out of your pens;
  10. For all the beasts of the forest are mine, *
    the herds in their thousands upon the hills.
  11. I know every bird in the sky, *
    and the creatures of the fields are in my sight.
  12. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, *
    for the whole world is mine and all that is in it.
  13. Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, *
    or drink the blood of goats?
  14. Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
    and make good your vows to the Most High.
  15. Call upon me in the day of trouble; *
    I will deliver you, and you shall honor me."
  16. But to the wicked God says: *
    "Why do you recite my statutes,
    and take my covenant upon your lips;
  17. Since you refuse discipline, *
    and toss my words behind your back?
  18. When you see a thief, you make him your friend, *
    and you cast in your lot with adulterers.
  19. You have loosed your lips for evil, *
    and harnessed your tongue to a lie.
  20. You are always speaking evil of your brother *
    and slandering your own mother's son.
  21. These things you have done, and I kept still, *
    and you thought that I am like you."
  22. "I have made my accusation; *
    I have put my case in order before your eyes.
  23. Consider this well, you who forget God, *
    lest I rend you and there be none to deliver you.
  24. Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving
    honors me; *
    but to those who keep in my way will I show
    the salvation of God."

Gospel: Luke 21:25-31
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near."

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible

Sts. Vidicon & Isidore