A Song of the Wilderness (Advent)

1    The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice,  ♦

the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

2    They shall see the glory of the Lord,  ♦

the majesty of our God.

3    Strengthen the weary hands,  ♦

and make firm the feeble knees.

4    Say to the anxious, ‘Be strong, fear not,

    your God is coming with judgement,  ♦

coming with judgement to save you.’

5    Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,  ♦

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6    Then shall the lame leap like a hart,  ♦

and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

7    For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,  ♦

and streams in the desert;

8    The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing,  ♦

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

9    Joy and gladness shall be theirs,  ♦

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35.1,2b–4a,4c–6,10

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.