Advent

December 21, 2020

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
   you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
   and all the garments rolled in blood
   shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
   a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
   and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
   and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
   He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
   from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

When I take in this scripture, I start reading it until I find myself singing it in the chorus of my mind. That is how it should be as the existential experience of battles over darkness ends, and a child is born who is light and brings light and enables us to be light. We are coming to the end of a dark year. The COVID pandemic has sewn darkness across our world. Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth good will to men*. Faith, Hope, and Love are stronger. God is not dead nor doth he sleep*.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for coming among us to seed us with your light and love. Amen.

*From I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.