[Propertalk] READINGS for the FIRST SUNDSAY in ADVENT

[Charles Wohlers]

The following are the readings for the First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 
according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, 
Canadian BAS, and the Church of England (Common Worship) lectionaries. 
Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and the C of E are 
identical to the RCL this Sunday. The NRSV translation is used.

Starting this Sunday, we are in Year C.


OLD TESTAMENT  Jeremiah 33: 14 - 16   (RCL, Roman Catholic)

Jere 33:14 (NRSV) The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will 
fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 
In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up 
for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In 
those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this 
is the name by which it will be called "The LORD is our righteousness."


PSALM  25: 1 - 10   (RCL)
Psalm 25: 4 - 4, 8 - 10, 14   (Roman Catholic)

Psal 25:1 (NRSV) To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness' sake, O LORD!
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear hin,
and he makes his covenant known to them.

Note: Verse numbering may differ in your Psalter.


25   Ad te, Domine, levavi    (ECUSA BCP)

1   To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
  let me not be humiliated,
  nor let my enemies triumph over me.

2   Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
  let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3   Show me your ways, O Lord, *
  and teach me your paths.

4   Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
  for you are the God of my salvation;
  in you have I trusted all the day long.

5   Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
  for they are from everlasting.


6   Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
  remember me according to your love
  and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.

7   Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
  therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8   He guides the humble in doing right *
  and teaches his way to the lowly.

9   All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
  to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.



NEW TESTAMENT   1 Thessalonians 3: 9 - 13   (RCL)

1The 3:9 (NRSV) How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the 
joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray 
most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is 
lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to 
you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one 
another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so 
strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God 
and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.


1 Thessalonians 3: 12 - 4: 2   (Roman Catholic)

1The 3:12 (NRSV) And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for 
one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so 
strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God 
and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 4:1 Finally, 
brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you 
learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you 
are doing), you should do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions 
we gave you through the Lord Jesus.


GOSPEL   Luke 21: 25 - 36   (RCL)
                   Luke 21: 25 - 28, 34 - 36   (Roman Catholic)

Luke 21:25 (NRSV) "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, 
and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea 
and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is 
coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then 
they will see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. 
28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, 
because your redemption is drawing near."
29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 
as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that 
summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, 
you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this 
generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven 
and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation 
and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you 
unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face 
of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the 
strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand 
before the Son of Man."



Chad Wohlers
East Bridgewater, Mass.   USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
cwohlers at bridgew.edu