Introduction
Advent is well known as a time to spiritually prepare for Christmas, but there is much more to the season. While we certainly prepare to commemorate Christ’s first coming (his birth), we also look ahead and prepare ourselves for his second coming at the end of time.
The readings during Advent reflect this two-fold focus. The first two weeks of the season focus on the Lord’s ultimate role as the judge of all in the future. It’s only in the second two weeks of Advent that the readings transition to preparations for celebrating his historical birth.
Once again our readings for this first interpret each other, presenting a clear theme of expectation for the Lord’s coming:
Isaiah: Prepare the way of the Lord.
Peter: We await new heavens and a new earth.
John the Baptist: One mightier than I is coming after me.
Sunday Readings 