Second Sunday of Advent 2026 — Meaning, Readings, Candle and Prayers

Nov 2nd 2026

What is the Second Sunday of Advent?

The Second Sunday of Advent is the second of the four Sundays before Christmas. In 2026, it falls on Sunday, December 6.

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival." It is a season of waiting and preparing. Prepare to celebrate Christ's birth at Christmas and look ahead to his promised return.

The First Sunday of Advent centers on hope and watchfulness. The second Sunday moves the focus to preparation. In many churches, the Gospel tells of John the Baptist calling people to "prepare the way of the Lord." Many households and churches light the second candle on the Advent wreath, often called the Bethlehem Candle or Peace Candle.

Traditions differ between denominations. This guide explains common practices and notes where churches differ.

When is the Second Sunday of Advent?

In 2026, Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, and the Second Sunday of Advent is Sunday, December 6. In Western churches, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, so the date moves each year.

Year	Second Sunday of Advent	Lectionary year (Sundays)
2026	Sunday, December 6	Year B
2027	Sunday, December 5	Year C
2028	Sunday, December 10	Year A
2029	Sunday, December 9	Year B
2030	Sunday, December 8	Year C

Some traditions count differently. The Ambrosian Rite, used in and around Milan, keeps a six-week Advent. Eastern Orthodox churches observe the Nativity Fast before Christmas rather than four Advent Sundays.

Meaning and theme of the Second Sunday of Advent

The main theme is preparation: making room in our lives for Christ's coming. Many churches also link this Sunday with peace.

John the Baptist and the call to prepare

In most Western lectionaries, the Gospel for this Sunday features John the Baptist. In Year B, the reading is the opening of Mark's Gospel (Mark 1:1–8). John appears in the wilderness, preaches repentance, and points to one greater than himself who is coming.

The first reading, Isaiah 40, begins with God's message of comfort to his people. It speaks of a voice crying out to prepare a way in the wilderness. The Gospel writers saw this promise fulfilled in John.

Waiting with patience

The second reading, from 2 Peter 3, speaks about God's timing. It reminds readers that God is patient and asks them to live holy lives while they wait. This links the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem with the hope of his return.

Peace

Many Protestant and Catholic families call the second Advent candle the candle of peace. The idea draws on Isaiah's prophecy of the "Prince of Peace" and the peace Christ brings. Not every church uses this theme, as the next section explains.

The second Advent candle: the Bethlehem Candle

On the Second Sunday of Advent, the second candle on the Advent wreath is lit. It is usually purple (or blue) and is most often called the Bethlehem Candle, representing peace.

The name recalls Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and the town where Jesus was born. A common naming pattern looks like this:

Week	Common name	Common theme	Usual color
1	Prophecy (Prophet's) Candle	Hope	Purple or blue
2	Bethlehem Candle	Peace	Purple or blue
3	Shepherds' Candle	Joy	Rose (pink)
4	Angels' Candle	Love	Purple or blue
Christmas	Christ Candle (center)	Christ's birth	White

Traditions vary. Some churches swap the peace and love themes between the second and fourth candles. Others call the second candle the candle of faith or of preparation. None of these is wrong; the wreath is a devotional custom, not a fixed rule of the liturgy. Follow your own parish or congregation's practice.

The wreath's evergreen circle is often explained as a sign of eternal life and God's never-ending love. The growing light, one candle more each week, shows the approach of Christ, the light of the world.

Second Sunday of Advent readings for 2026 (Year B)

Advent 2026 starts Year B in both the Catholic Lectionary and the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), so the Gospel comes from Mark 1:1–8. The two lists are very close; the verse ranges differ slightly.

Reading	Catholic Lectionary (Year B)	Revised Common Lectionary (Year B)
First reading	Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11	Isaiah 40:1–11
Psalm	Psalm 85:9–14	Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13
Second reading	2 Peter 3:8–14	2 Peter 3:8–15a
Gospel	Mark 1:1–8	Mark 1:1–8

Psalm 85 verse numbers differ between Bible translations, which is why the ranges look different.

Other churches use other lists. Some Lutheran bodies follow historic pericope series with different texts. Check your denomination's lectionary or your parish bulletin to confirm the readings for your service.

Prayers for the Second Sunday of Advent

Prayers for this Sunday usually ask God to prepare our hearts, turn us back to him, and fill us with his peace. At public worship, use your own church's appointed texts. The prayers below can be used at home, in a small group, or when lighting the Advent wreath.

The traditional collect (Episcopal Church)

The Book of Common Prayer (1979) gives this collect for the Second Sunday of Advent. It is in the public domain:

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Catholic parishes pray the collect from the Roman Missal at Mass. Other denominations use their own service books.

Prayer for lighting the second Advent candle

Lord God, as we light this second candle, we remember Bethlehem and the peace your Son brings. As John the Baptist prepared the way, help us clear away whatever keeps us from you. Make our hearts ready to welcome Christ. Amen.

Prayer for peace

Prince of Peace, quiet our restless hearts. Heal what is broken in our homes, our churches, and our world. Make us people who bring your peace to others, this Advent and always. Amen.

Prayer of preparation (inspired by Isaiah 40)

God of comfort, you speak tenderly to your people. Level the mountains of our pride and fill the valleys of our fear. Make a straight path in us for your coming, and lead us gently like a shepherd. Amen.

Family prayer at the Advent wreath

Jesus, we are getting ready for your birthday. Help us to be kind, to say sorry, and to forgive. Fill our home with your peace. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Prayer for clergy and church leaders

Faithful God, bless all who lead your people this Advent. Like John the Baptist, may they point beyond themselves to Christ. Give them wisdom in preaching, care in worship, and rest when they are weary. Amen.

Scriptures to pray with this week

Isaiah 40:1–5 — God's message of comfort and a highway prepared for the Lord
Isaiah 40:11 — God gathers his flock like a shepherd
Psalm 85:8–13 — a prayer for peace, mercy and faithfulness to meet
2 Peter 3:8–9 — God's patience and his timing
Mark 1:1–8 — John the Baptist calls people to prepare

The collect above is from the Book of Common Prayer (1979). The other prayers were written for this article and may be freely used in personal or church devotions.

How churches and families observe the Second Sunday of Advent

Most observances are simple: worship on Sunday, the second candle on the wreath, and a focus on preparing the heart.

In church

Light the first and second candles on the Advent wreath, often with a short prayer or reading.
Hear the readings about John the Baptist and Isaiah's message of comfort.
Sing Advent hymns. "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry" is a common choice for this Sunday.
Clergy and altar wear violet or blue; no Gloria in many liturgical churches during Advent.

At home

Light the wreath at a family meal and read Mark 1:1–8 or Isaiah 40 together.
Make room for confession, reconciliation, or a quiet daily prayer time.
Take a practical step toward peace: mend a strained relationship or support a local charity.

Saint Nicholas Day falls on the same date in 2026

The feast of Saint Nicholas is December 6, the same day as the Second Sunday of Advent in 2026. In the Roman Catholic calendar, the Advent Sunday takes priority, so the feast is not celebrated at Sunday Mass that year. The Episcopal Church also moves feast days that fall on Advent Sundays to a nearby weekday. Many parishes still mark the day with a children's blessing or a talk about the generous fourth-century bishop of Myra.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception follows on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, a holy day of obligation for Catholics in the United States.

Preparing clergy attire for Advent

Check your Advent garments before the season starts, not the week of the second Sunday. Advent runs only four weeks, and Christmas services follow straight after.

A simple checklist for clergy and church staff:

Confirm your church's color. Violet or blue? Do you also need rose for the third Sunday?
Inspect what you own. Look for fading, loose hems, stains, and worn collars on robes, cassocks, and stoles. If a cassock needs replacing, our complete guide to buying a cassock covers styles, fabrics and fit.
Check sizes. New clergy, deacons, choir members or altar servers may need garments in different sizes. See 7 tips for choosing the right clergy cassock and why altar servers wear vestments.
Plan for Christmas too. Many churches switch to white or gold for Christmas Eve. Order both at once if you need new pieces.
Allow time for custom work. Made-to-measure and customized garments take longer than standard sizes. Check the production and shipping estimate on each product before you order.

Shop clergy apparel at eClergys

eClergys offers clergy robes and pulpit robes, cassocks (including customized cassocks), clergy shirts, women's clergy clothing, and liturgical garments and accessories for ministers, priests, and church leaders.

Need a garment in a specific Advent color or a custom size? Browse the collection or contact the eClergys support team before ordering, so we can confirm options and timing for your order.

Further reading from eClergys

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Second Sunday of Advent in 2026?

Sunday, December 6, 2026. Advent begins on November 29, and Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25.

What is the theme of the Second Sunday of Advent?

Preparation. The readings call believers to "prepare the way of the Lord," and many churches also link the day with peace.

What does the second Advent candle mean?

It is usually called the Bethlehem Candle and stands for peace. Some churches use other names, such as the candle of faith or preparation.

What color is the second Advent candle?

Purple in most homes and Catholic parishes. Churches that use blue for Advent often use a blue candle.

What color do priests and pastors wear on the Second Sunday of Advent?

Violet in the Roman Catholic Church and many other churches. Some Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran and Methodist congregations wear blue.

Is the pink candle lit on the second Sunday?

No. The rose (pink) candle is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday in the Catholic tradition.

What are the Second Sunday of Advent readings for 2026?

In the Catholic Lectionary (Year B): Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11; Psalm 85; 2 Peter 3:8–14; Mark 1:1–8. The Revised Common Lectionary uses the same books with slightly longer ranges.

Who is the focus of the Second Sunday of Advent Gospel?

John the Baptist, who preached repentance and prepared people for Jesus.

Is Saint Nicholas Day celebrated on the Second Sunday of Advent in 2026?

In the Catholic Church, the Sunday of Advent takes priority, so the feast is not kept at Sunday Mass that year. Many parishes still honor Saint Nicholas informally.

What is a good prayer for the Second Sunday of Advent?

Many Episcopal and Anglican churches pray the Book of Common Prayer collect that asks God for grace to heed the prophets and greet Christ with joy. At home, a short prayer for peace when lighting the second Advent candle works well. See the prayers section above.

Preparing the way

The Second Sunday of Advent asks a simple question: are we ready? Through John the Baptist's call and Isaiah's words of comfort, it invites the Church to clear a path for Christ, in worship, at home, and in daily life. Whether your congregation lights a candle of peace, wears violet or blue, or follows a different custom, the purpose is the same: to prepare well for his coming.

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