Readings for Celebrating Advent

⁶ A child ·has been [or will be; ^Cthe prophet views the future as though it had already happened] born to us;
    ·God has given a son [^La son has been given] to us.
    ·He will be responsible for leading the people [^LThe government/rule/dominion will be on his shoulder].
His name will be ·Wonderful Counselor [or Wonderful! Counselor!; or Extraordinary Advisor], ·Powerful [Mighty] God,
    ·Father Who Lives Forever [Eternal Father], Prince of Peace.
⁷ There will be no end to the ·growth [abundance; increase] of his ·rule [dominion; government],
    nor to the peace he will bring.
He will rule as king on David’s throne
    and over David’s kingdom [2 Sam. 7:11–16].
He will ·make it strong [establish and sustain it]
    by ruling with justice and ·goodness [righteousness]
    from now on and forever.
·The Lord All-Powerful will do this
    because of his strong love for his people [^LThe zeal/jealousy of the Lord Almighty/of Heaven’s Armies/^Tof hosts will accomplish this].