Christmas Story (4)

Luke 1:67-79

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 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 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."

A Christmas Story

Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort for God’s people

1 Comfort, comfort my people!
says your God.
2 Speak compassionately to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her that her
compulsory service has ended,
that her penalty has been paid,
that she has received
from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins!

3 A voice is crying out:
"Clear the LORD’s way in the desert!
Make a level highway in the wilderness for our God!
4 Every valley will be raised up,
and every mountain and hill
will be flattened.
Uneven ground will become level,
and rough terrain a valley plain.
5 The LORD’s glory will appear,
and all humanity will see it together;
the LORD’s mouth
has commanded it."

6 A voice was saying:
"Call out!"
And another said,
"What should I call out?"
All flesh is grass;
all its loyalty is
like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass dries up
and the flower withers
when the LORD’s breath blows on it.
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass dries up;
the flower withers,
but our God’s word
will exist forever.

9 Go up on a high mountain,
messenger Zion!
Raise your voice and shout,
messenger Jerusalem!
Raise it; don’t be afraid;
say to the cities of Judah,
"Here is your God!"
10 Here is the LORD God,
coming with strength,
with a triumphant arm,
bringing his reward with him
and his payment before him.
11 Like a shepherd, God will tend the flock;
he will gather lambs in his arms
and lift them onto his lap.
He will gently guide
the nursing ewes.