Advent Devotional

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Each Wednesday in Advent, we read a Bible passage that provides context for the meaning of Christmas.

Scripture reading: Isaiah 35:1-10
(read on Bible Gateway)

 1 The desert and the parched land will be glad; 
   the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. 
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; 
   it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. 
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, 
   the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; 
they will see the glory of the LORD, 
   the splendor of our God.
 3 Strengthen the feeble hands, 
   steady the knees that give way; 
4 say to those with fearful hearts, 
   “Be strong, do not fear; 
your God will come, 
   he will come with vengeance; 
with divine retribution 
   he will come to save you.”
 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened 
   and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, 
   and the mute tongue shout for joy. 
Water will gush forth in the wilderness 
   and streams in the desert. 
7 The burning sand will become a pool, 
   the thirsty ground bubbling springs. 
In the haunts where jackals once lay, 
   grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
 8 And a highway will be there; 
   it will be called the Way of Holiness; 
   it will be for those who walk on that Way. 
The unclean will not journey on it; 
   wicked fools will not go about on it. 
9 No lion will be there, 
   nor any ravenous beast; 
   they will not be found there. 
But only the redeemed will walk there, 
 10 and those the LORD has rescued will return. 
They will enter Zion with singing; 
   everlasting joy will crown their heads. 
Gladness and joy will overtake them, 
   and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

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