First Sunday of Advent

Readings

Jeremiah 33:14-16

‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

‘In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.

‘In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the Lord is our righteousness.’

Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14

Make me know Your ways, O Lord;

Teach me Your paths.

Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

For You I wait all the day.

Good and upright is the Lord;

Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in justice,

And He teaches the humble His way.

All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth

To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him,

And He will make them know His covenant.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.

For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

“There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,

men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;

for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.

“But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

(All readings derived from the NASB)

Further Reading

John Bergsma: Happy New Year! The First Sunday of Advent

Allen Bevere: On Preaching Advent During Advent

Tim Gombis: Advent Season Begins Tomorrow ; Homily for the First Sunday of Advent

Ben Howard: Waiting on Emmanuel

Leslie Keeney: A New City and a New Kind of Christmas

James McGahey: Advent: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

Scot McKnight: First Sunday of Advent ; The First Advent Candle

Kyle Roberts: Advent Shock: Jesus, the Crucified Peoples

Gary Wallin: Only the Suffering God Can Help

Joel Willits: Advent–Holy Dissatisfaction and Hopeful Anticipation ; The Meaning of the Advent Candles