Psalm Reading

O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.

Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Ps. 25:1-10

Gospel Reading

The Coming of the Son of Man
And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree
And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Watch Yourselves
But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.

Luke 21:25-36

Devotional Prompts

• Reflect on the ways in which the Lord has helped you grow in trust over the past year. Thank Him for that heart transformation. Then, looking toward the coming weeks and months, consider areas where trusting God might seem difficult. Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith through deeper experience and understanding of His steadfast love and faithfulness.
• Ask the the Holy Spirit to reveal more of the great glory and mighty power of Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man, to you.
• Still your heart before the Lord. As you sense His love and peace, talk to God about areas of your life where He would like to help you grow to become more watchful, alert. Ask for strength to watch and wait.

Closing Prayer

God of justice and peace,

You chose the most unlikely of places – a lowly stable – to meet the world with mercy and grace. Christ’s coming, this first advent, is the foundation of our great hope.

Raise our heads in expectation, that we may yearn for the coming day of His return. Give us ears to hear and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate His return, Christ’s second advent.

Amen.