Isaiah 7:13–14 (NIV)
13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 64:10–12 (NIV)
10 Your sacred cities have become a wasteland; even Zion is a wasteland, Jerusalem a desolation. 11 Our holy and glorious temple, where our ancestors praised you, has been burned with fire, and all that we treasured lies in ruins. 12 After all this, Lord, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?
Luke 1:46–55 (NIV)
46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Comment
Joy is a natural part of Christmas and the advent season. In the Isaiah 64 reading (We read the first half 2 weeks ago), the people are rejoicing at the thought that God would return and restore their land, temple and people to the way things should be, even if now, sin and sadness is present. In Luke, Mary celebrates the coming of Jesus as a great gift. What makes advent joyful, over and above the bits and pieces around us, is how Jesus, Immanuel, comes to dwell among us, restoring and reconciling creation and us back to God. And it’s here, that we, like Mary, can respond out of praise and gratitude. So, even if December is full of sadness, grief and sorrow, may you know that your God is present, that there is joy in his coming and that Advent reminds us that merry and bright have broken into our world.
This Week
How might you set your heart, mind and home on the joy of Jesus this week? How can you encourage someone else in this too? How can you respond with praise and gratitude to God for his gift of Jesus as you go about ending the year and getting ready for Christmas?
Prayer
Lord, Blessed Trinity, to You alone be the glory this day. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thank You. I thank You for the grace and mercy of Your wondrous salvation. I have done nothing to deserve such a tremendous gift. Even calling salvation a “tremendous gift” does not encompass The fullness of its beauty and wonder.
But how easily I forget this salvation in my current daily life. How easily I take it for granted and stop at its face value. But Spirit, You have been, and continue to be, Faithful in helping me to see more of this wondrous salvation. You are saving me. Thank You, Lord.
Yet this salvation is also my future guarantee. What I experience right now in part, I will experience later in full. This salvation gives me a living, breathing, active hope That is certain as it moves me forward to the life that is to come. You will save me. Thank You, Lord.
Song
Joy to the world