Isaiah 40.1-2 NLT
“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.”
Tag: Christmas
Advent Spiritual Song: “We’re Marching to Zion” – Amy Grant
“We’re Marching to Zion” – Isaac Watts
Come, we that love the Lord,
and let your joys be known;
join in a song with sweet accord,
join in a song with sweet accord
and thus surround the throne,
and thus surround the throne.
Refrain:
We’re marching to Zion,
beautiful, beautiful Zion;
we’re marching upward to Zion,
the beautiful city of God.
_____________________________
Please click on audio link – Amy Grant – “We’re Marching to Zion” (Legacy)
_____________________________
Then let your songs abound,
and every tear be dry;
we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground,
we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground,
to fairer worlds on high,
to fairer worlds on high.
(Refrain)
Morning Reading: Isaiah 35.1-10 MSG
Isaiah 35.1-10 MSG
Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower — Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color.
Mountain glories of Lebanon — a gift. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon — gifts. God’s resplendent glory, fully on display. God awesome, God majestic.
Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right and redress all wrongs. He’s on his way! He’ll save you!”
Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly.
There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It’s for God’s people exclusively — impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it. No lions on this road, no dangerous wild animals — Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening.
Only the redeemed will walk on it. The people God has ransomed will come back on this road. They’ll sing as they make their way home to Zion, unfading halos of joy encircling their heads, Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.
Spiritual Song for Advent – “Down to the River to Pray” (Alison Krauss) YouTube
Advent Song: “Mary did you know?” – Kathy Mattea
Mary, Did You Know – Kathy Mattea
Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you
Please click on audio file – “Mary, Did You Know” – Kathy Mattea
Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod
And when your kiss your little baby, then you’ve kissed the face of God
Mary did you know? Mary did you know
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I Am
The Peanut Gallery 