The Sermon text is the ninth verse of the 40th chapter of Isaiah: "Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!’ "

It’s quite a conversation between the prophet and a couple of voices.

First a command is given:

"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord."

We’ve heard that passage often enough, if not in church, at least in music. We know, of course, that John the Baptizer fulfilled this strange command:

"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord."

If we continue to read, the directions end quickly, but even stranger happenings are predicted:

"Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the u…