Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
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!"
Themes for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A
The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent for Year A are a call to repentance. In the first reading we hear a savior will bring change to our world. In the second reading we are told to be more welcoming to one another. In the gospel, John the Baptist warns the people to change their ways.
- Willingness to repent
- The peaceable kingdom
- Jesus Christ brings change
- The Holy Spirit
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A.
Resources for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A
Cry Out – A Lesson Plan on St. John the Baptist
This Cry Out lesson plan on St. John the Baptist will help youth understand who this prophet was and the role he played in making the way for Jesus.
Litany of St. John the Baptist
In this Litany of St. John the Baptist, we ask this saint by his many titles and roles to pray for us so we can be more like him.
Repent and Believe! Discussion and Reflection Questions
This reflection will help youth consider what it means to repent. “What do I need to change to become closer to Jesus?”
Advent Ideas for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A
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.
Winter Family Activities for the Outdoors
Winter family activities help us appreciate the beautiful world God made for us. We should enjoy it together even when it is cold! So do something outdoors as a family. Some ideas require snow, but others do not. After the activity, talk about how God has provided the outdoors for us as our own playground. And he has provided so many other things for us also, including the gift of Jesus!
Homilies and Reflections for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A
Kingdom Come
From Scott Hahn. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” John proclaims. And the Liturgy today paints us a vivid portrait of our new king and the shape of the kingdom He has come to bring. The Lord whom John prepares the way for in today’s Gospel is the righteous king prophesied in today’s First Reading and Psalm. He is the king’s son, the son of David—a shoot from the root of Jesse, David’s father." Continue reading.
The Two Tasks
From Fr. Richard Rohr of the Center for Action and Contemplation. Text without context is a problem. John the Baptist is the symbol of the first half of life- zealous, wanting to be right, harsh, judgemental. Some people never get beyond this type of religion. The second half of life is represented by Jesus. After we have loved and suffered, we have a different understanding of mercy and compassion. We are no longer concerned with being best.
The Messiah’s Work
From Bishop Robert Barron. "Follow the Church as she invites us to look at another chapter of Isaiah—namely, the magnificent eleventh chapter, which describes the world that emerges at the coming of the Messiah."
A Message of Repentance
From Loyola Press. "In this week's Gospel Reading and next week's, our Advent preparation for Christmas invites us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus. In this week's Gospel, Matthew describes the work and preaching of John the Baptist." Continue reading.
Eden, The Mountain, and The One Who Baptizes with Fire
Also from Bishop Barron. "This week’s readings take us to chapter 11 of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah looks back to the garden of Eden and the world in right alignment with God, and then looks forward to the Messiah who will set right what has gone wrong in God’s world. Sin interrupts right order, justice, and goodness. The righteous king will restore justice when he rules on his holy mountain."
More Thoughts for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A
We can all imagine John the Baptist calling people to repent. Somewhat wild. Unusually clad. Why were people drawn to such a seemingly eccentric man?
John did not fear standing up to the religious leaders of the day. John tells the people, if you produce good fruit, if you do good works, then you are not held back by your ancestry or your lack of scriptural schooling. This viewpoint is not popular with the religious leaders of the day.
John calls all to repentance. God will separate the good from the bad. It will happen at the end times, or when we die. Are we ready? And who will lead us? Isaiah tells us that leaders must be ready to promote peace and justice. Are the leaders we are following doing that? If not, then perhaps we are following the wrong people.
Reflection Questions for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A
- Am I ready to change?
- Am I complacent and comfortable the way I am?
- Am I ready to ask God for help?
- Who am I following?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A
The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions
What date is the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A?
The next date is Sunday December 7, 2025.
For other years see the links below:
2nd Sunday of Advent Year B: Sunday December 6, 2026
2nd Sunday of Advent Year C: Sunday December 8, 2024
What are the Mass readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A?
The Mass readings for Sunday December 7, 2025 are:
First Reading – Isaiah 11:1-10
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 72
Second Reading – Romans 15:4-9
Gospel - Matthew 3:1-12: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
What are the themes for the Mass readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A?
Some themes for Sunday December 7, 2025 are willingness to repent, the peaceable kingdom, and Jesus Christ brings change.
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