Sunday, December 9, 2012

Advent, Second Sunday









Luke 1 (CEB) Song of Zechariah

67 John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,


“Bless the Lord God of Israel

    because he has come to help and has delivered his people.

He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house,

     just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.
 He has brought salvation from our enemies
    and from the power of all those who hate us.
 He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
    and remembered his holy covenant,
         the solemn pledge he made to our ancestor Abraham.
He has granted  that we would be rescued
        from the power of our enemies
    so that we could serve him without fear,
         in holiness and righteousness in God’s eyes,
            for as long as we live.
 You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
 You will tell his people how to be saved
    through the forgiveness of their sins.
 Because of our God’s deep compassion,
    the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
     to give light to those who are sitting in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
        to guide us on the path of peace.”

7 comments:

Secondary Roads said...

A beautiful hymn. Today we light the second advent candle.

Jackie said...

A beautiful reading Vanilla. It's such a blessing to know our Lord.

I can't imagine trying to survive without faith!!

Peace!

vanilla said...

Chuck, "Because of our God’s deep compassion, the dawn from heaven will break upon us" Wow!

Jackie, we would be in serious trouble without Him!

Shelly said...

I see God's love for us all through this. How beautiful and full of peace it is~

vanilla said...

Shelly, "The love of God: how rich, how pure, how measureless, and strong."

Sharkbytes said...

"He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and remembered his holy covenant, the solemn pledge he made to our ancestor Abraham." And see Heb 11 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." It all makes so much sense to us, but they'd been waiting so long for the promise to be delivered, I don't think we can ever quite "get it."

vanilla said...

Shark, through faith, they accepted the promise. We see with the perspective of history, and still we have not faith?