FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (C/_ABC) (p. 553) First reading. Jer 33, 14-16. I will raise up a righteous Branch for David A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ​​In those days, at the appointed time, I will raise up a righteous Branch for David. He will execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live safely. This is the name by which she will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” This is the word of God. Responsorial Psalm. Ps 24 (25), 4-5ab. 8-9. 10 and 14 (P.: 1) P. To you, O Lord, I lift up my heart. Show me, O Lord, your way, * teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, teach me, * for you are God my Savior. – P. The Lord is righteous and good, * therefore he guides the way of the lost. He guides the humble in the right paths * and teaches them his way. – P. All the paths of the Lord are truth and steadfast love * to those who keep his covenant and obey his commandments. The Lord is a friend to those who fear him, * confirming his covenant with them. – P. Second reading. 1 Thess 3, 12 – 4, 2. May the Lord strengthen your hearts when Christ comes again A reading from the First Letter of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians. Brothers and sisters! May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, so that your hearts may be steadfast and blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus: as you learned from us how you ought to walk and please God, as you are doing, so do you more and more. For you know what orders we gave you in the name of the Lord Jesus. This is the word of God. Hymn before the Gospel. Ps 84 (85), 8 P. Alleluia. — Lord, show us your steadfast love and save us! — P. Alleluia. Gospel Lk 21, 25-28. 34-36. Your deliverance is approaching ✠ From the Holy Gospel according to Luke At that time Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars, and on the earth nations will be in perplexity, with the roaring of the sea and the roaring of the waves. People will faint from fear and expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and glory. When all these things begin to happen, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is near. Take care that your hearts are not weighed down with surfeiting and drunkenness and the worries of life, so that day will not come on you unexpectedly. It will come on all those who dwell on the earth like a trap. Therefore, be alert and pray at all times, so that you may be able to escape all these calamities that are coming on them and to stand before the Son of Man.” This is the word of the Lord.