The First Sunday of Advent in 2026 is Sunday, November 29. It begins the season of Advent and a new liturgical year, and with it Year B of the Sunday readings, which are taken mostly from the Gospel of Mark. The theme of the day is watchfulness: “Watch ye therefore, for you know not when the lord of the house cometh.” Families light the first purple candle of the Advent wreath, often called the candle of hope. Below are the date at a glance, the readings, prayers for the day, the blessing of the wreath, Prayers of the Faithful for Mass, and ideas for beginning Advent at home.
A short prayer for the First Sunday of Advent, written for this page:
Lord Jesus, as we begin this Advent, wake us from sleep.
Help us to watch and pray, to make room for you in our hearts and homes,
and to be ready to welcome you at Christmas and when you come again in glory. Amen.
The First Sunday of Advent at a glance
| Date in 2026 | Sunday, November 29, 2026 |
| Liturgical day | First Sunday of Advent, Year B |
| Color | Violet (purple) |
| Advent wreath | Light the first purple candle (hope, or the Prophets’ candle) |
| Theme | Watch and be ready for the coming of the Lord |
| Next year | Sunday, November 28, 2027 |
The readings for the First Sunday of Advent 2026 (Year B)
| Reading | Passage | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| First reading | Isaiah 63:16b–17, 19b; 64:2–7 | “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down” |
| Responsorial psalm | Psalm 80 | “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved” |
| Second reading | 1 Corinthians 1:3–9 | Waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ |
| Gospel | Mark 13:33–37 | “Watch!” |
The first reading cries out for God to come (Isaias 64:1, Douay-Rheims):
That thou wouldst rend the heavens, and wouldst come down: the mountains would melt away at thy presence.
The psalm’s refrain (Psalm 79:4, Douay-Rheims; Psalm 80 in other numberings):
Convert us, O God: and shew us thy face, and we shall be saved.
St. Paul in the second reading (1 Corinthians 1:7–9, Douay-Rheims):
So that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Who also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful: by whom you are called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Gospel (Mark 13:33–37, Douay-Rheims):
Take ye heed, watch and pray. For ye know not when the time is.
Even as a man who going into a far country, left his house; and gave authority to his servants over every work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Watch ye therefore, (for you know not when the lord of the house cometh: at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning,)
Lest coming on a sudden, he find you sleeping.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch.
Lighting the first Advent candle
On the First Sunday of Advent the wreath is blessed and the first purple candle is lit, often before the family meal. A simple blessing, written for this page:
Lord God, bless this wreath and all who gather around it.
As we light this first candle, fill our hearts with hope,
and help us to prepare for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Amen.
See the Advent wreath prayers for the prayers for each week and the Advent candles for what each candle means.
Prayers of the Faithful for the First Sunday of Advent
For Mass on November 29, 2026, or a family prayer. Response after each petition: Lord, hear our prayer.
- For the Church, as we begin a new liturgical year, that we may watch and pray and be ready to welcome Christ, we pray to the Lord.
- For the Pope, our bishops, priests and deacons, that they may awaken the hope of God’s people this Advent, we pray to the Lord.
- For leaders of nations, that they may work for justice and peace while the world waits for its Savior, we pray to the Lord.
- For all who feel that God is far away, that they may know He is coming to meet them, we pray to the Lord.
- For our parish and our families, that this Advent may be a time of prayer, generosity and reconciliation, we pray to the Lord.
- For our beloved dead, that they may see the face of God and be saved, we pray to the Lord.
See the Prayers of the Faithful for Advent and how to write prayers of the faithful.
How to begin Advent at home
- Set up the Advent wreath and light the first candle at dinner each evening this week.
- Choose an Advent practice: daily Mass once a week, a decade of the Rosary each night, or one act of kindness a day.
- Go to Confession before Christmas, perhaps at a parish penance service.
- Pray the St. Andrew Christmas novena, which traditionally begins on November 30, the next day.
Frequently asked questions
When is the First Sunday of Advent in 2026?
Sunday, November 29, 2026. In 2027 it falls on November 28.
Which candle is lit on the First Sunday of Advent?
The first purple candle, often called the candle of hope or the Prophets’ candle.
What are the readings for the First Sunday of Advent, Year B?
Isaiah 63:16b–17, 19b; 64:2–7; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3–9; and Mark 13:33–37.
More Advent pages
- Advent prayers
- Advent 2026: dates, meaning and prayers
- Second Sunday of Advent
- Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent)
- Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Advent wreath prayers
- Prayers of the Faithful for Advent
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Isaias 64:1, Psalm 79:4, 1 Corinthians 1:7–9 and Mark 13:33–37, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain. Reading references follow the Lectionary for Mass, First Sunday of Advent, Year B.
- The prayers and Prayers of the Faithful were written for this page.