<<<Back to the Advent Calendar

The Second Sunday of Advent

The collect from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer (US) appointed for the Second Sunday of Advent encourages us to hear, read, mark and inwardly digest holy scripture. Scripture tells the story of God’s love of the world. It is instructive to listen and read the stories, to make note of how we have experienced similar situations in our lives as well as how we can apply what we learn in order to conform our lives to Christ.

Taking time to read Holy Scripture during Advent is important for another reason. The prophecies in the Old Testament show God’s intent to save his people through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of His Son. Jesus’ birth was foretold in—

Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel..”

Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Micah 5:2: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

During the holidays, family activities take center stage. We visit, laugh, and retell the stories that help define our families. As members of the Christian family, Holy Scripture tells the story of our spiritual family, as well as God’s plan to unite us with Himself through the life and death of Jesus Christ.

May we hear, read, mark and inwardly digest this story of God’s love for us.

Have a Blessed Second week in Advent!
+The Anglican Anchoress