Sunday between 4 and 10 December
Second Sunday of Advent (Year B)
First Reading - Isaiah 40.1-5a
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. Comfort my people, and speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Let her know that she has served her sentence. Her penalty is paid. She has already received, from the Lord’s hand, double for all her transgressions. And now, a voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord. Fill the valleys, level the hills, straighten the paths, and make the rough ways smooth. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed.’ This is the word of the Lord.Second Reading - 2 Peter 3.8-15a
A reading from the second letter of Peter. Some have said, from a human perspective, that the promises of the Lord are slow in coming to fulfilment. But with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. So we do not say that the fulfilment of the Lord’s promise is delayed. Instead, we understand that the Lord is being patient, allowing time for all to repent; for the Lord prefers that none should perish. For the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. With thunder and fire, the heavens will pass away. And the earth, and everything upon it, will be destroyed.And there will be new heavens,
and a new earth,
where everything
will be made perfect
in the presence of God,
in fulfilment
of God’s promises.
As we await that day,
let us live holy and godly lives,
at peace with God.
And let us remember
that the patience
of our Lord
is our gracious opportunity
for salvation.
This is the word of the Lord.