First reading: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11

‘Console my people, console them’ 
says your God.
‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem 
and call to her
that her time of service is ended, 
that her sin is atoned for,
that she has received from the hand of the Lord
double punishment for all her crimes.’

A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wilderness 
a way for the Lord.
Make a straight highway for our God 
across the desert.
Let every valley be filled in, 
every mountain and hill be laid low.
Let every cliff become a plain, 
and the ridges a valley;
then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed 
and all mankind shall see it;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’

Go up on a high mountain, 
joyful messenger to Zion.
Shout with a loud voice,
 joyful messenger to Jerusalem.
Shout without fear, 
say to the towns of Judah, 
‘Here is your God.’

Here is the Lord coming with power, 
his arm subduing all things to him.
The prize of his victory is with him, 
his trophies all go before him.
He is like a shepherd feeding his flock,
gathering lambs in his arms,
holding them against his breast
and leading to their rest the mother ewes.