"eXPlain it": Advent 1 (Matthew 21:1-9 and Zechariah 9:9)

Sunday Readings – Advent 1

The Scripture readings for Advent 1 are ...

• Jeremiah 23:5-8
• Psalm 24
• Romans 13:8-14
• Matthew 21:1-9

A New Church Year

On Sunday, November 29th, the Church begins its new year.

Unlike the secular calendar of January 1st, the Sundays of Advent are not marked by renewed personal efforts or resolutions focused on a “new year … new you”. Rather, the season warns against any spiritual confidence in human potential and righteous works.

Like a harbinger, the appointed Scripture readings for Advent sound the call of repentance, a spiritual awakening and a sacred preparation for the three “comings” (“advents”) of Jesus the Christ.

• His “fulfilled coming in the flesh” at the appointed time in Bethlehem
• His “future coming in judgment” at the end of time
• His “present and continual coming” to His Church through His Word and Sacraments

Just as Jesus is the same “yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), so also, Advent combines and compresses the “three comings” of Christ into one plea, for all people, in all places, for all time …

“Come, Lord Jesus!”