Advent Week I
The unsurpassed literary brilliance of the prophet Isaiah offers the weary world a compelling message of HOPE. He doesn’t gloss over the need for salvation. Sin and judgement are very real! But so is salvation and restoration.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
As we embark on this season of ADVENT, the cries of humanity loom loud and large. Not much different from the Israelites, who were enduring drought, famine, and exhile.
In their waiting, the faithful Israelites clung to this promise and others, scattered throughout the Old Testament. Isaiah’s description of the Messiah gave the Israelites something to look forward to, and to find HOPE of deliverance in.
Perhaps this Advent season you find yourself waiting. Surrounded by enduring hardships and impossibilities like you have never known, you’d give anything for a miraculous deliverance.
Or perhaps, you are simply waiting in long lines, waiting for that package to be delivered, waiting for the snow to fly, or waiting for the lights to shine.
Don’t let hardships or busyness threaten to crowd out the quiet anticipation of this sacred season. Remember, it’s not the perfect situation we wait for. It’s not the perfect Christmas we wait for. It is a better celebration still to come…. O come o come Emmanuel.
For the nation of Israel, Isaiah’s words were a prophetic message of HOPE. For us, it is a prophesy fulfilled!
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
In our 2021 waiting, in our 2021 celebration of the Christ Child, and in our 2021 expectation for a Coming King, may the thrill of HOPE breath light and life into our weary world.
“There’s HOPE in the morning There’s HOPE in the evening There’s HOPE because you’re living There’s HOPE because you’re breathing There’s HOPE in the breaking There’s HOPE in the sorrow There’s HOPE for this moment My HOPE for tomorrow” — You Keep Hope Alive by Jon Reddick
Waiting in HOPE, Crystal
Say It Crystal Clear 