advent two: love

The spirit of the sovereign lord is upon me,
because the lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor.
he has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to announce that the captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed
he has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the lord's favor has come,
and with it,
the day of God's anger against their enemies.
to all who mourn in Israel
he will give beauty for ashes,
joy instead of mourning,
praise instead of despair.
for the lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.