Advent Reading for Monday, Week 1 (11/28/22)

 

The Season of Advent helps us prepare for Christ's coming--both on Christmas Day and when we comes again in glory.  This year, we will spend each week exploring a different way we can prepare ourselves.  The post for each day will include a scripture, a song, a few brief questions to reflect upon, and a prayer  Week 1 is about Keeping Watch.

 

Week 1 Reminder

This week, our readings focus on "Keeping Watch."  For a longer introduction to what keeping watch entails, please refer to Sunday's post.

Scripture

Isaiah 9:1-5

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

² The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
    on them light has shined.
³ You have multiplied exultation;
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as people exult when dividing plunder.
⁴ For the yoke of their burden
    and the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
⁵ For all the boots of the tramping warriors
    and all the garments rolled in blood
    shall be burned as fuel for the fire.  (NRSVUE)

 

Hymn

Questions

Isaiah uses the image of darkness and light to talk about God  when we are caught in  sin, confusion, misery, and other times of need.

• When has God provided a light in the darkness for you? 
  
• How did that light shine, and how did it help?
• Do you need God light to shine again for you today?
  

 

Prayer

LORD, bring light to my darkness and help in my time of need.