The third of our Advent Candle liturgies based on the lectionary readings from Isaiah, this week chapter 35 verses 1-10.
VOICE 1: The
desert and dried up ground will be delirious with gladness;
VOICE 2: the wilderness
will rejoice and blossom.
VOICE 1: Like the
crocus in spring, it will burst into bloom;
VOICE 2: it
will be filled with riotous colour and echo with songs of joy.
VOICE 1: They
will reflect the Lord‘s
resplendent glory,
VOICE 2: the
splendour of our God will be clear to see.
VOICE 1: Strengthen
the hands that have lost their grip,
VOICE 2: steady
those with shaky knees;
VOICE 1: Say to
those with fearful hearts, “Stay strong, take courage!”
VOICE 2: Your God
is coming to put things right;
VOICE 1: He comes
to redress all wrongs and save his people.
VOICE 2: Then the
blind will see and the deaf will hear.
VOICE 1: Then
lame will dance and the mute will sing.
VOICE 2: Springs
of water will well up in the wilderness;
VOICE 1: Rivers
will stream through the desert.
VOICE 2: The
burning sands will become a cool pool;
VOICE 1: Fountains
will flow from once thirsty ground.
VOICE 2: In the dusty
hollows haunted by jackals,
VOICE 1: Lush
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
VOICE 2: And there
will be a highway there known as the Way of Holiness;
VOICE 1: The
unclean and rebellious will not be permitted on that road.
VOICE 2: No
lion will prowl along it nor any predatory beast.
VOICE 1: The
redeemed will walk freely along it,
VOICE 2: and
those the Lord has
rescued will return home.
VOICE 1: They
will enter Zion singing songs;
VOICE 2: Their
faces will shine with indestructible joy.
VOICE 1: Gladness and
joy will overwhelm them,
VOICE 2: and
sorrow and sadness will scurry away.
The first three candles (including the rose candle) are lit.
Let us pray:
Lord we thank you for the joy that you give
us;
A joy that breaks through the deepest sorrow;
A joy that restores and heals;
A joy that can never be destroyed
Whatever happens in the world around us.
May our lives be filled to overflowing with
this joy.
AMEN
Selah
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