2nd Sunday of Advent

On the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we see that God has been preparing to save us from the beginning of time. And the call of repentance from John the Baptist speaks to us as much today as it did two thousand years ago. Find resources for youth ministry, religious education, classrooms, and families here.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, games, lesson plans, and more for the 2nd Sunday of Advent.

Mass Readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A

• First Reading – Isaiah 11:1-10: “Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 72: “Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.”
• Second Reading – Romans 15:4-9: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Gospel – Matthew 3:1-12: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Mass Readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year B

• First Reading – Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11: “A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 80: “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”
• Second Reading – 2 Peter 3:8-14: “Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.”
• Gospel – Mark 1:1-8: “People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.”

Mass Readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year C

• First Reading – Baruch 5:1-9: “Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 126; “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”
• Second Reading – Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
• Gospel – Luke 3:1-6: “John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah”

Put Up the Tree and Do a Christmas Tree Blessing

Doing a Christmas tree blessing helps us focus again on the true meaning of this busy season, which is especially important as we draw nearer to Christmas and are worrying about things like purchasing few more gifts or getting ready for guests

Wreath Prayer Service

Use the this wreath prayer service to make any evergreen wreath serve as a reminder of our salvation.