Advent is concerned with two comings. This first Sunday of Advent challenges us to reflect on the end of time by placing the coming of Christ within the context of God’s overall plan of salvation. The second half of Advent focuses on the coming of Christ at Christmas.
A compass always points north no matter where we are, at least in the northern hemisphere. Or, if you are lost in the woods at night and don’t have a compass, you can look up at the sky, locate the Big Dipper constellation as it points to the North Star, and find your direction. That’s the season of Advent: our compass, our North Star that leads us through a very busy and overwhelming time of year to the joyful celebration of our Savior’s birth on Christmas Day.
Let’s begin with the Gospel. In the 2026 liturgical year we are in Year A, which is centered on the Gospel according to Matthew, who wrote for a community of Jewish Christians. This is why Matthew’s gospel is so rich with citations from the Old Testament, and why there are so many confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees. Matthew is teaching his community that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. He is in fact the long-awaited Messiah, foretold from of old.
Interestingly, in today’s reading from Matthew 24, we’re starting the new liturgical year at the end of this Gospel. Jesus is teaching his disciples about the end times. This helps Matthew’s community to understand the terrible events that were happening in Jerusalem with the destruction of the Temple around the time this Gospel was written. We hear Jesus citing a story from the Old Testament:
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”
The first reading from Isaiah augments this Gospel passage very well. The prophet is giving words of reassurance to his people, who are themselves undergoing many trials.
“Let us climb the Lord’s mountain, that he may instruct us in his ways. He shall judge between the nations. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. One nation shall not raise the sword against another.”
Lastly, in the second reading from Romans, Saint Paul instructs his community:
“It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
These three readings are like a guiding compass as we begin the season of Advent. Awake from your sleep! The Lord is coming! Listen to him in these times of trouble and uncertainty, for the Lord brings wisdom and peace to the nations. Sounds like Good News to me!
1st Sunday of Advent Entrance Antiphon To You, I Lift Up My Soul, O My God (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #6
Psalm 25 is one of the iconic psalms of Advent.
Entrance Chant Come and Set Us Free (Trevor Thomson)
Spirit & Song #134
With an easy to learn refrain, this thoughtful song invites us to awaken our hearts, as Jesus and Saint Paul teach us in today’s readings. Come and set us free!
Responsorial Psalm Let Us Go Rejoicing to the House of the Lord (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 8
Sarah Hart’s verbatim setting of Psalm 122 has an uplifting Americana feel.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of St. Mary Magdalene (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 10
Psalm 85 is another iconic Advent text that is proclaimed in this acclamation.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Christ the Lord (Robert Feduccia and Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Song #194; Breaking Bread 2026 #601
This contemporary hymn has become an Advent favorite. Robert Feduccia’s image rich poetry is enhanced musically by Sarah Hart’s lilting melody.
1st Sunday of Advent Communion Antiphon The Lord Will Bestow His Bounty (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #7
Psalm 85 is once again utilized in this Advent liturgy as the Communion Antiphon.
Communion Chant Find Us Ready (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Song #209; Never Too Young #150
The gospel music vibe of Tom Booth’s Advent ballad captures the joy of this season.
Sending Forth To You, O God, I Lift Up My Soul (Bob Hurd)
Spirit & Song #138; Never Too Young #123; Breaking Bread 2026 #430
We began this liturgy with the Entrance Antiphon’s text from Psalm 25. Let us go forth from this Eucharist by singing Bob Hurd’s popular setting of this psalm’s Advent joy.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
If you want to use songs that are not in any of the books you have, you can license the songs through ONE LICENSE. Paying for the usage of songs will ensure the Church will have quality songs for years to come.