UCC Wider Reach
Sunday, December 7
Second Sunday in Advent
Read Kate's in-depth reflection at i.UCC.org
Read our Bible Blog
Join us for our online conversation on this Sunday's Bible reading
Check out our new Advent resources!
Focus Theme
Messengers of Hope
Weekly Prayer
God of hope, you call us from the exile of our sin with the good news of restoration; you build a highway through the wilderness; you come to us and bring us home. Comfort us with the expectation of your saving power, made known to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Focus Reading
Isaiah 40:1-11
see also Psalm 85:1-2,8-13
Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord's hand
double for all her sins.
A voice cries out:
"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
A voice says, "Cry out!"
And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand for ever.
Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
"Here is your God!"
See, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.
Reflection
by Kate Huey
For the first thirty-nine chapters of the book of the Prophet Isaiah, the prophet scholars call "First Isaiah" delivered a word of warning about God's impending judgment, to the people of Jerusalem in the 8th century B.C. Much has happened in two hundred years: First Isaiah spoke of the threat of the mighty empire of Assyria, but in Second Isaiah's time, the Babylonian Empire has destroyed Jerusalem and carried the people off to captivity. The disaster has, like all disasters, provoked theological reflection and much lamentation. In the midst of all that long grief, Second Isaiah comes along to cry comfort to the people, release and forgiveness, the promise of restoration and a great homecoming. Second Isaiah is all about hope, a hope rooted not in the people's strength or wits or goodness, but in the faithfulness of God. It's a surprising, unexpected word of hope. Some folks describe the God of the Old Testament as a God of fear and threat, while the God of the New Testament is all about love and tenderness. Second Isaiah paints a fuller portrait of God. Yes, Israel's God. But the God of Israel is also a gentle shepherd, feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms and carrying them close to his heart. The people are urged to make way for this good news in their lives, a transformation of their situation initiated by a God who loves and remembers them. The powers that be, Babylon, have been overturned. The mighty have fallen, and the "little" people can dance with joy.
For Further Reflection
Arundhati Roy (20th century)
Not only is another world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.
Second Sunday in Advent
Read Kate's in-depth reflection at i.UCC.org Read our Bible Blog Join us for our online conversation on this Sunday's Bible reading Check out our new Advent resources!Focus Theme
Messengers of Hope
Weekly Prayer
God of hope, you call us from the exile of our sin with the good news of restoration; you build a highway through the wilderness; you come to us and bring us home. Comfort us with the expectation of your saving power, made known to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Focus Reading
Isaiah 40:1-11
see also Psalm 85:1-2,8-13
Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord's hand
double for all her sins.
A voice cries out:
"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
A voice says, "Cry out!"
And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand for ever.
Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
"Here is your God!"
See, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.
Reflection
by Kate Huey
For the first thirty-nine chapters of the book of the Prophet Isaiah, the prophet scholars call "First Isaiah" delivered a word of warning about God's impending judgment, to the people of Jerusalem in the 8th century B.C. Much has happened in two hundred years: First Isaiah spoke of the threat of the mighty empire of Assyria, but in Second Isaiah's time, the Babylonian Empire has destroyed Jerusalem and carried the people off to captivity. The disaster has, like all disasters, provoked theological reflection and much lamentation. In the midst of all that long grief, Second Isaiah comes along to cry comfort to the people, release and forgiveness, the promise of restoration and a great homecoming. Second Isaiah is all about hope, a hope rooted not in the people's strength or wits or goodness, but in the faithfulness of God. It's a surprising, unexpected word of hope. Some folks describe the God of the Old Testament as a God of fear and threat, while the God of the New Testament is all about love and tenderness. Second Isaiah paints a fuller portrait of God. Yes, Israel's God. But the God of Israel is also a gentle shepherd, feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms and carrying them close to his heart. The people are urged to make way for this good news in their lives, a transformation of their situation initiated by a God who loves and remembers them. The powers that be, Babylon, have been overturned. The mighty have fallen, and the "little" people can dance with joy.
For Further Reflection
Arundhati Roy (20th century)
Not only is another world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.
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UCC – http://www.ucc.edu/default.htm
God is Still Speaking – http://www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/
Short Course in the
History of the United Church of Christ –
http://www.ucc.org/about-us/short-course/
See a half-hour show on the
United Church of Christ –
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3789487551574061449&pr=goog-sl
