Advent in Scripture, Week 1

On the Fridays in Advent, I'll be posting an Advent in Scripture passage, looking at one or two of the Revised Common Lectionary passages for the coming Sunday, along with questions to consider and a couple of short prayers.  I pray you have a blessed Advent.  (PS - I know this is Wednesday, but Saturday is a special day this week for the life of the blog, so my third post for the week will be on the 29th).

Centering Prayer

O God, our God, my God, light a candle in my life to bring light. May the light illuminate the path you want me to see.  May the path lead to you.  Amen.

Please Read

Isaiah 2:1-5

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more.  O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

Romans 13:11-12

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light…

Questions to Consider

1. The last verse of the Isaiah passage above says, “O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord!  We are  not part of the house of Jacob; what does this verse mean in your life?
2. The verse right before the last one, Isaiah 2:4, give an image of swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. Does this verse shine light on your own relationships? One relationships we have within our community?
3. What does it mean to you that salvation is closer than when we became believers?

Closing Prayer

O God, may we be bringers of peace and people who shine a light in the darkness.  Help us. Amen.