Last week, I shared some background on Matthew, the central Gospel of Year A. Today, let’s look at the Book of Isaiah, one of the landmark readings for the season of Advent.
Isaiah received his call as prophet during a critical time in the history of Israel: the collapse of the Northern Kingdom around the 8th century before Christ. As he wrote in Chapter 6, Isaiah had a very personal vision of the holiness of God that overwhelmed him with a greater awareness of human pettiness and sinfulness. As the kingdom succumbed to the temptations of sin and corruption, the kings turned to unholy political alliances with the enemies of Israel. Isaiah denounced these “covenants of death” with stirring and poetic calls to holiness. The hope of the people resided only in their faithfulness to the Lord.
A lengthy book with 66 chapters, Isaiah is divided into two general sections. Chapters 1-39 were written by Isaiah himself or one of his close disciples. Chapters 40-66 were written by an anonymous prophet Scripture scholars refer to as Deutero-Isaiah, who prophesied toward the end of the Babylonian exile and spoke poetically of the suffering Servant of God. During the four Sundays of Advent 2025, the First Reading is taken from the earlier section of Isaiah. Here are some excerpts today’s passage, from Isaiah Chapter 11.
“On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.”
Notice the hopeful and poetic imagery. Jesse is David’s father, and this passage points to a time of bright promise for the kingdom with a reassurance that the dynasty of King David will somehow prevail. The prophet continues:
“The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.”
This passage is the Church’s source for the traditional names of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah goes on:
“Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. . . On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.”
Although the immediate context of this passage is related to Isaiah’s prophecy of hope for his people in the midst of the calamities of their times, the Church places this reading here in the Second Sunday of Advent to point the way to Christ. In both contexts, God’s Chosen One will bring about radical transformation to the world through the Spirit of the Lord.
From Matthew 3 in today’s Gospel:
“John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’”
As foretold from the days of the prophet Isaiah and identified by John the Baptist, the Chosen One, the Christ, is coming to transform the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a sign of hope in our troubled and polemic times. Christ comes to make us one!
2nd Sunday of Advent Entrance Antiphon O People of Sion, Behold (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #8
Appropriately, today’s Entrance Antiphon is taken from Isaiah chapter 30: “O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.”
Entrance Chant Ready the Way (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Song #142; Never Too Young #147; Breaking Bread 2026 #53
Every year, I marvel at how Curtis Stephan’s catchy song draws people across all generations into the spirit of Advent.
Responsorial Psalm Justice Shall Flourish in His Time (PJ Anderson)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 12
PJ Anderson shares a spirited Advent setting of Psalm 72.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of St. Mary Magdalene (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 16
The Gospel Acclamation texts for Advent invite us to enter prayerfully into the proclamation of the Good News.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Come to Us (Greg Walton)
Spirit & Song #144
Greg Walton’s Advent song references the Root of Jesse from Isaiah in the First Reading.
2nd Sunday of Advent Communion Antiphon Jerusalem, Arise and Stand Upon the Heights (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #9
This antiphon from Baruch is an essential Advent text. “Behold the joy that comes to you from God.”
Communion Chant O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Traditional; arr. by Tom Booth)
Spirit & Song #141; Never Too Young #151; Breaking Bread 2026 #39
We will sing a contemporary setting of Advent’s “O Antiphons” next Sunday. But we would be remiss if we neglected to sing the traditional classic during this season. Tom Booth gives us a modern setting.
Sending Forth Christ the Lord (Robert Feduccia and Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Song #194; Breaking Bread 2026 #601
We only have four Sundays to sing our beautiful hymns of this joyful season. Robert Feduccia and Sarah Hart offer this song of Advent hope.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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