Monday
Isaiah 9.2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
There are different kinds of darkness within which we sometimes have to walk. Many of them can feel like living in a land overshadowed by despair, anxiety, grief or loneliness. These bring an accompanying loss of motivation and appetite for life. Often life in our world these days is like walking in darkness, living under deep shadows of foreboding and uncertainty. Advent interrupts our pessimism. Isaiah declares the coming of the light of God’s coming! Against a horizon of despair, hope dawns, as God says “Let there be light!” God is on the move and hope is rising.
Tuesday
Isaiah 9.6a “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.”
I can’t read these words without hearing them set to Handel’s music with its outspokenly joyous chorus! It’s an irresistible Advent earworm! These words were first spoken to broken hearted people who could see no good future. Government was Empire, and Empire was about force, control and loss of freedom. The sign of the new born child was God’s promise of a different future. This Advent, when you celebrate the birth of the Christ child, and open yourself again to the gift of God’s Son, do so looking forward to the coming of God’s Kingdom, in God’s good time.
Wednesday
Isaiah 9.6b “And he will be called, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
The Advent story is full of name giving. Matthew who quotes the prophets dozens of times, writes at the very start “You will call his name Jesus” and “they will call him Emmanuel.” Together with Isaiah’s fourfold descriptor of the Son who is given, all these names expand the horizons of our hopes and the range of our imagination. Jesus is the personification of wise planning, purposeful power, protective care, and lasting peace. The rule of Jesus is not aimed at self-promotion, but saving his people, being the presence of God amongst our humanity. Why not use this verse as a one line praise-prayer throughout Advent.
Thursday
Isaiah 9.6b “And he will be called, Wonderful Counsellor…,
“Great God of wonders, all thy ways / are matchless godlike, and divine.” God’s plans are wonderful in their detail, scale and in God’s power to make them happen. Isaiah more than once says God’s words will accomplish the purpose for which they are sent. Even more so God’s saving purpose in sending his Son, the Word made flesh. This is the wonder of wonders, God’s strategic plan for salvation, redemption and renewal of his covenant through Jesus, who is Immanuel, God with us.
Friday
Isaiah 9.6b “And he will be called, Mighty God…,
Isaiah 9 was written in the dark days of the crushing power of Assyria. What Israel needed was a new king who would deliver them. Isaiah’s words of comfort are like an arrow into the future when hundreds of years later, in Bethlehem, a child is born and a son is given. Against the might of Herod, Pilate, Caesar, and all other kingdoms, God came, not in annihilating power, but in the purposive persistence and mercy of the mighty God, who saves and forgives human sins, who redeems and renews a people for himself. His rule and reign are assured because the government will be upon the shoulders of God and of his Christ, whose name is Jesus, Immanuel.
Saturday
Isaiah 9.6b “And his name will be called Everlasting Father…”
In the Old Testament the father is the one who holds full authority and is to be respected by the whole household. The father is also the one who guards, supports and provides for all who are under his care. It isn’t hard to see why Isaiah chooses that image to speak of God’s protective care for his people. In the coming of Jesus the world will see, once and for all, the Fatherhood of God, the full authority of the Redeemer over the powers that be, and the protective care of all who come in trust and obedience to live under the kingship of Christ. Advent is for always, and Immanuel is God with us, here and now, and “even to the end of the age.” Those are the very last words of Matthew’s gospel!
Sunday
Isaiah 9.6b “His name shall be called Prince of Peace…”
With Assyria’s military machine in full swing against them, Israel had no chance. Isaiah spoke to their panic, and contradicted those resigned voices of despair. Never discount the Advent of God! The coming of Immanuel for Christians is the reality of God come amongst us in Jesus. The final revelation of God is the Word become flesh, the living embodiment of God’s grace and truth, full of glory. Not the glory of military might, whether Assyrian, Roman, or empires of any other age, including our own. This Advent we celebrate Christ incarnate, crucified, risen, and ascended, the Prince of Peace, the peacemaker par excellence. “On earth peace to all the people, on whom God’s favour rests.” For that we wait, and pray, and hope, this Advent.
(The window photo is from a good friend's window overlooking the firth of Clyde. The green wreath is the very fine colouring work of my friend Ben.)
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