December 6th, 2004, Friday of the first week of Advent.

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah,

Thus says the Lord God,

But a very little while in Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,

and the orchard be regarded as a forest.

On that day, the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of

gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the

Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more, and the arrogant will have gone.

All who are alert to do evil will be cut off, those whose mere word condemns a man,

who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim.

Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of the House of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham.

Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale.

When his children see the work of my hands in his mist,

they shall keep my name holy.

They shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob

and be in awe of the God of Israel.

Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,

and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

The word of the Lord.

The response to a Psalm. The response is, the Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom should I fear?

The Lord is my life's refuge. Of whom should I be afraid? The Lord is my light and my salvation.

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