1st Sunday of Advent

On the 1st Sunday of Advent, we become aware that the coming of Jesus Christ into our world changes everything. We must prepare for our old lives to pass away and our new lives to begin. 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 1st Sunday of Advent.

Mass Readings for the 1st Sunday of Advent Year A

• First Reading – Isaiah 2:1-5: “He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 122: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”
• Second Reading – Romans 13:11-14: “For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.”
• Gospel – Matthew 24:37-44: “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.”

Mass Readings for the 1st Sunday of Advent Year B

• First Reading – Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7: “No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 80: “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 1:3-9: “He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Gospel – Mark 13:33-37: “Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.”

Mass Readings for the 1st Sunday of Advent Year C

• First Reading – Jeremiah 33:14-16: “In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25: “To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.”
• Second Reading – 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2: “Brothers and sisters: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.”
• Gospel – Luke 21:25-28, 34-36: Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Have an Advent Prayer Service

Today, say a simple Advent prayer service together. It doesn’t need to be lengthy. In fact, with very young children, shorter is sometimes better.

Make a Jesse Tree

A Jesse tree is a traditional Advent craft which shows the relationship of Jesus to famous people from the bible. Every day you read the story of somebody related to Jesus from the Bible and hang an ornament on the tree with a symbol which represents the person you just read about.

Set Up an Advent Table

Now is the time to set up and Advent table in your home or youth ministry room. If at home, put it in your family room or another room your family uses every day. Use it as a focal point to remember to observe Advent.