Advent Reflection | Sunday, December 6

Each Sunday we share, in place of our story, a portion of the 40th chapter of Isaiah. The people of Israel knew something about collective weariness. In this chapter Isaiah speaks to them tenderly, hopefully, and expectantly. There are some prompts to help you read this text using Lexio Divina—or holy reading. 

Consider encountering the scripture prayerfully using “Lexio Divina” or Holy Reading.  

• Read – Read the text through once and see what word or phrase shimmers for you a bit. You do not need to know why, just sit for a bit with the word or phrase that captured you. 
• Meditate – Read the text through again and see what echoes. What word or phrase seems to draw you in or echo in your mind or heart? It may or may not be the same as before. You do not need to know why, just sit for a bit with this word or phrase.   
• Respond – Read the text through a third time and respond – out loud, in a journal, or in your heart. You may have a question, a gratitude, a complaint, a praise. Respond to God with all of it. 
• Contemplate – Read the text through a fourth time and then sit quietly. Simply rest with the text and with the Spirit so that it may take up space in you and root itself in you. You may find it unfolds in the day ahead.  

Isaiah 40:10 – 17
10 See, the Lord God comes with might,
    and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.

11 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. 

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
    and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure,
    and weighed the mountains in scales
    and the hills in a balance?

13 Who has directed the spirit of the Lord,
    or as his counselor has instructed him?

14 Whom did he consult for his enlightenment,
    and who taught him the path of justice?
Who taught him knowledge,
    and showed him the way of understanding?

15 Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
    and are accounted as dust on the scales;
    see, he takes up the isles like fine dust.

16 Lebanon would not provide fuel enough,
    nor are its animals enough for a burnt offering.

17 All the nations are as nothing before him;
    they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.