Monday 6 December 2021

Today is
Monday the 6 December, in the second week of Advent.
 
The Porter’s Gate sing ‘He Comes’.
 
Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.
 
Isaiah 35:1-7
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
   the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
   and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
   the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
   the majesty of our God.
 
Strengthen the weak hands,
   and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
   ‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
   He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
   He will come and save you.’
 
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
   and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
   and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
   and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
   and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
   the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
 
Can you transport yourself to this place of wilderness described at the beginning of the passage?
  How does the landscape look to you? Arid?
  A place where nothing thrives? What can you hear? Perhaps the cracking of dead wood around you… or the howling wind? Or nothing at all… How do you feel physically being there?
 
Then watch as waters ‘break forth’… Pools, streams, springs of water. How do you imagine this happening in front of you, as you see the Earth come alive, green, bursting, blossoming...
The great sweeping, healing, inclusive kingdom of God.
  A promise of a whole new way of life.
  How do you react to this scene of transformation?
 
 
As I listen to the passage again can I embrace God’s astounding promises?
  Promises to bring to life what is dead?
   
 
In this season of Advent and in the quietness of these moments, speak with God about the bold statements made in today’s passage.
  Give space to listen.
 
O Wisdom
Lord and Ruler
Root of Jesse
Key of David
Rising Sun
King of the Nations
Emmanuel

Come, Lord Jesus