The Readings for Advent 1, November 29th, 2015

First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16

14The 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. 15In 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. 16In 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

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.

10 For your Name's sake, O LORD, 

    forgive my sin, for it is great.

11 Who are they who fear the LORD? 

    he will teach them the way that they should choose.

12 They shall dwell in prosperity, 

    and their offspring shall inherit the land.

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

  11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13And 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.

Gospel: Luke 21:25-36

[Jesus said:] 25“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. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

  29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven 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 does not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be 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.”