Advent meditation: During the time of Isaiah, the people of Israel had turned away from God. Isaiah foretold that the Israelites would be taken into exile and brought back, but he said that they would still continue to be disobedient to God. No man can restore the original justice that Adam destroyed through his sin. Therefore, Isaiah says, God himself will have to bring justice by becoming man. This is the most clear prophecy of the incarnation in the whole Old Testament!
Prayer: O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel. (From O come, O come, Immanuel)
Scripture: Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth has fallen in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intervene; then his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as a mantle. According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, requital to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render requital. So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives. And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the Lord. (Isaiah 59:14-20)
