Advent Daybook, 8: They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain
My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2016 posts here)
HOLY MOUNTAIN III BY HORACE PIPPIN (SOURCE)
The Trumpet Child by Over The Rhine (lyrics here)
all the readings for this day: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Matthew 3:1-12
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
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In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
’The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’ “
I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’”
prayer for the day:
“Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
Take a walk through your neighborhood today. Be intentional about making eye contact and greeting each person you pass along your route. Notice when this is harder to do, and pray for the Spirit to enlarge your heart as a peacemaker.
(see all Advent daybook posts from 2015 here)