The Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 40:1-11

Doris:                 This reading is from Isaiah chapter 40, verses 1-11.

Doris:                 “Comfort, Oooo comfort my people,” says your God.  “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her, announce to her, proclaim to her:

• that she has served her term,
• that her penalty is paid,
• that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

 Doris:                A voice calls out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Doris:                 A voice says, “Speak out!”

MARK:  (bored)              And I said, “What shall I declare or reveal? What shall I announce or speak? What shall I proclaim and preach? All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it – when the spirit of the Lord moves over it; surely the people are grass. And yet. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.

Doris:                 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, speak out to the cities of Israel, cry out to all: “Here is your God!”

Mark:                   See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

Doris:                 Here end this reading for the Second Sunday of Advent.