Show us your unfailing love, O God, our Savior, and grant us your salvation.Listen to what the Lord our God says:He promises peace to his people,

who are his beloved saints.

The Lord will indeed give what is good.

Righteousness goes before himand prepares the way for his steps.May the Lord make his holy face to shine upon us in this time of Advent worship.May we see God’s face and so know peace. Amen.

1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2       The people who walked in darkness              have seen a great light;         those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,              on them has light shone.3      You have multiplied the nation;              you have increased its joy;         they rejoice before you              as with joy at the harvest,             as they are glad when they divide the spoil.4      For the yoke of his burden,              and the staff for his shoulder,             the rod of his oppressor,             you have broken as on the day of Midian.5      For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult             and every garment rolled in blood             will be burned as fuel for the fire.6      For to us a child is born,             to us a son is given;         and the government shall be upon his shoulder,             and his name shall be called         Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,             Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7      Of the increase of his government and of peace             there will be no end,         on the throne of David and over his kingdom,             to establish it and to uphold it         with justice and with righteousness             from this time forth and forevermore.         The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.