Thursday

From the Scrolls of Isaiah:

"The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good."

Isaiah, like Jeremiah, was a Prophet at low ebb in Judah's history.  Enemies were at the gates and they were being ruled by a wicked, idolatrous king.  Even at a time like this, Advent's hope bursts fourth.