2nd Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.
ADVENT PRACTICE. You can celebrate Advent by lighting candles and reading the Scriptures together with friends and family. This week light both the first and the second candle. The four candles represent the themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. “Advent is a journey towards the Christ Child. May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man.”
PRAYER PRACTICE. A beautiful and reflective prayer practice is to re-write the Scripture in your own words and offer it as a prayer. I have written a prayer to give you an idea. Spend some time re-reading Isaiah 11, listening for a word or phrase like “Rest on Me” and then respond to it out loud or in your journal. Try using the names of God “Wonderful Counselor” or “Mighty God” in a prayer of gratitude.
Rest on Me
O Spirit of God
Rest on Me
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
Guide me with your spirit of counsel and might
Wrap your belt of righteous faithfulness around me
to strengthen and guide me
bringing the peace of your holy mountain
To the kingdom within and around me
Peace of Christ
Rest on Me
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Fill me with a spirit of understanding and reverence
for a King rallying all people to rest in his glory
Who comes with the fearless faith of the Christ child
sitting among the lion and the lamb
Taking a seat at the Throne of God. Amen
REFLECT TOGETHER. What hopes and dreams for peace are awakened in you from the Scripture, the image of the lion and the lamb together, and your personal prayer?
robbijames 