First Sunday of Advent

Advent 1 - November 29, 2020

The Collect 

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

   First Lesson Isaiah 64:1-9 

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence-- as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people. 

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *

shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. 

2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, * 

stir up your strength and come to help us. 

3 Restore us, O God of hosts; * 

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 

4 O LORD God of hosts, * 

how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people? 

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; * 

you have given them bowls of tears to drink. 

6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, * 

and our enemies laugh us to scorn. 

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; * 

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 

16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, * 

the son of man you have made so strong for yourself. 

17 And so will we never turn away from you; * 

give us life, that we may call upon your Name. 

18 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; * 

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 

The Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

The Gospel Mark 13:24-37 

Jesus said, “In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be

darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

A Letter of May to Elizabeth

Dear Aunt Elizabeth,

I am writing because I do not know what to do. I am afraid that you too will think I am a lunatic. Please hear me out and give me advice if you can. I have been good and faithful and a loving obedient daughter. I want so much to please my folks but now everything had changed and it's a disaster. Several nights ago, I woke from a dream. Or thought I had. I stood by my bed and felt I was not alone. There was so much light out in the garden that I tiptoed out to see. As I opened the garden door I was face to face with a strange being. I can only describe him (I think) as an angel. He told me that I was loved by God and going to bear the Savior. Me! I would have laughed out loud, but truly I was terrified. By him and by what he was saying. I shook myself, pinched myself, hoping I was still asleep. But he stayed there, smiling at me. I fell to my knees and asked him why me. He smiled and said I was chosen to bring God into the world anew. He promised me all would be well and then disappeared. I haven't been able to sleep much or be still since. I am so frightened and afraid. It feels like the world is coming to an end. 

When Mama asked me what was wrong, I kept telling her I was fine initially. She kept asking, and I have been so upset, that I finally gave in and told her. She flipped out. I thought she was going to slap me! Mama said I was blaspheming. God would not bring the Savoir of the world here. He would not use a poor girl like me! And besides, she reminded me, as if I didn't know, I was a virgin. She called to Papa and they both scolded me. I finally broke down crying and have been in my room ever since. I am terrified to tell them my menses has stopped. I am so scared.

Please, Auntie, send me some words of comfort. I do not know what to do so for now I will use the prayers you taught me and be praying for you as well. 

Much love,

Mary