Isaiah 35:1-6
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you."
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert
We have waited a long time. Over the past months and weeks, the suffering and brokenness of the world has been front and center. In times like these, my first reaction is to turn to God questioning, “How long?” How long will homes be destroyed and lives reduced to ruin? How long till we see an end to violence in our streets, homes and schools? How long, O Lord? Will you hide your face forever?
We have waited a long time. Even if this Advent season seemed to fly by for you with a flurry of stress and activities, we have still been waiting a long time - for the weak to be strong, for fresh new life to grow in those desolate places we encounter.
Our waiting is almost over and it has not been in vain. This is the eve of Christ’s coming – the day we have been waiting for. Indeed, God’s face is not hidden from us forever. We see it very clearly, revealed in the carpenter’s son who was born in a barn.
Tomorrow we celebrate that the long-awaited Jesus has come. Finally we can be strong and not fear because our God is here.
We have waited a long time. Even if this Advent season seemed to fly by for you with a flurry of stress and activities, we have still been waiting a long time - for the weak to be strong, for fresh new life to grow in those desolate places we encounter.
Our waiting is almost over and it has not been in vain. This is the eve of Christ’s coming – the day we have been waiting for. Indeed, God’s face is not hidden from us forever. We see it very clearly, revealed in the carpenter’s son who was born in a barn.
Tomorrow we celebrate that the long-awaited Jesus has come. Finally we can be strong and not fear because our God is here.