Readings and Psalm for November 30, 2025, First Sunday of Advent

First Reading:  Lamentations 3:52-58

52 Those who were my enemies without cause
 have hunted me like a bird;
53 they flung me alive into a pit
 and hurled stones on me;
54 water closed over my head;
 I said, “I am lost.”
55 I called on your name, O Lord,
 from the depths of the pit;
56 you heard my plea, “Do not close your ear
 to my cry for help, but give me relief!”
57 You came near when I called on you;
 you said, “Do not fear!”
58 You have taken up my cause, O Lord;
 you have redeemed my life.

Gospel: Luke 1:5-13

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
8 Once when he was serving as priest before God during his section’s turn of duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to offer incense. 10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified, and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

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