Isaiah points the way to Christ...and Christmas
I'm sure you've noticed that Isaiah plays a central role in the liturgy during Advent. Isaiah's a good Book to read as you prepare for Our Lord's birth. It's long, but it's perfect for Advent.
In chapter 1, Isaiah addresses his people Israel as a "sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly (1:4). He doesn't waste any time. He gets right down to business. It goes on from there. No holds barred, no punches pulled. Isaiah knows us, he knows how we've offended God, he knows what we need to do to make things right. Perfect stuff for Advent.
How refreshing to hear from a man who knew what he was about, understood the condition of us sinful men and put himself on the line by speaking the truth - especially when you think about the typical interactions that take place in the workplace day in, day out.
There's no waffling, no hedging, no weasel words. He didn't call a meeting, set up a committee to explore the problem, produce a long report that never quite gets to the point. He doesn't look at the boss and figure out what he wants to hear. He's not trying to look smart, impress anyone, not shooting for a promotion.
If you really focus on the text, you can't help but think about this world of ours: our country, our neighbors, family and friends, and, most of all, ourselves. We are those sinners Isaiah is addressing, and we need to repent. We need to make things right with God.
Now here's something incredible. God, who inspired Isaiah to write these words, knows all about us. There's nothing that we've done, or that we could do, that He doesn't know. Yet, in spite of knowing all that, He loved us enough to send His Son that first Christmas. He knew it would take His Son coming to live among us to get us to wake up and straighten ourselves out.
More incredible is the fact that His Son would not only come to live among us, but He would have to suffer and die - for us. And then His Son rose from the dead so that there would be no mistake about our ultimate fate. In case we didn't understand what God really wanted for us, what He really has in store for us if we only treat Him with the love and respect due to a Father - a Father who loves us far more than we could ever love Him - His Son rose from the dead. He showed us the great future in store for us sons (and daughters) of God.
Now, as you read Isaiah, remember that God, our loving Father, sent His Holy Spirit to Our Blessed Mother in order that she would give birth to His only Son - all this in spite of the descriptions we find in Isaiah of a sinful, ungrateful, selfish, unloving people. He did all of this for us - the whole Christmas story, the whole life of Christ and His suffering, death and resurrection.
It absolutely blows me away to think of this while I read Isaiah and prepare my heart and soul for Our Lord's birth. It helps me to clear my mind of all the stresses and strains the "holiday season" can bring with it. It helps me get beyond my anxiety about what I'll give to whom, or whether I can finish my work in time before Christmas break or anything else that stands between me and my Savior - the Divine Infant of Bethlehem who will soon knock on the door of my heart.
I hope, during these last days of Advent, that you've had the good sense to read Isaiah these past weeks. I hope you've seen the wonderful love of God, going right back to that first sin of Adam and Eve - that Love that, in spite of us sinful, ungrateful, selfish, unloving children continues to call to us, to wait for us, to give us every chance to repent and turn our hearts and minds to Him.
Now don't think Isaiah's just "fire and brimstone." There are beautiful passages that address the holy one of God (who we now know is Our Lord) whom God will send to His people. How we need this Holy One!
Just in case you haven't been reading Isaiah this Advent, here are a few verses you can turn to in these days before Christmas. Try Isaiah 9:6-7; then 11:1-10.
You see how God loves us? You see how He planned, right from the beginning when we turned our backs on Him in the Garden - and no matter how many other times we've turned our backs on Him - to save us from ourselves?
That's why joy and peace only come from God. Only God loves us so much.
In chapter 1, Isaiah addresses his people Israel as a "sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly (1:4). He doesn't waste any time. He gets right down to business. It goes on from there. No holds barred, no punches pulled. Isaiah knows us, he knows how we've offended God, he knows what we need to do to make things right. Perfect stuff for Advent.
How refreshing to hear from a man who knew what he was about, understood the condition of us sinful men and put himself on the line by speaking the truth - especially when you think about the typical interactions that take place in the workplace day in, day out.
There's no waffling, no hedging, no weasel words. He didn't call a meeting, set up a committee to explore the problem, produce a long report that never quite gets to the point. He doesn't look at the boss and figure out what he wants to hear. He's not trying to look smart, impress anyone, not shooting for a promotion.
If you really focus on the text, you can't help but think about this world of ours: our country, our neighbors, family and friends, and, most of all, ourselves. We are those sinners Isaiah is addressing, and we need to repent. We need to make things right with God.
Now here's something incredible. God, who inspired Isaiah to write these words, knows all about us. There's nothing that we've done, or that we could do, that He doesn't know. Yet, in spite of knowing all that, He loved us enough to send His Son that first Christmas. He knew it would take His Son coming to live among us to get us to wake up and straighten ourselves out.
More incredible is the fact that His Son would not only come to live among us, but He would have to suffer and die - for us. And then His Son rose from the dead so that there would be no mistake about our ultimate fate. In case we didn't understand what God really wanted for us, what He really has in store for us if we only treat Him with the love and respect due to a Father - a Father who loves us far more than we could ever love Him - His Son rose from the dead. He showed us the great future in store for us sons (and daughters) of God.
Now, as you read Isaiah, remember that God, our loving Father, sent His Holy Spirit to Our Blessed Mother in order that she would give birth to His only Son - all this in spite of the descriptions we find in Isaiah of a sinful, ungrateful, selfish, unloving people. He did all of this for us - the whole Christmas story, the whole life of Christ and His suffering, death and resurrection.
It absolutely blows me away to think of this while I read Isaiah and prepare my heart and soul for Our Lord's birth. It helps me to clear my mind of all the stresses and strains the "holiday season" can bring with it. It helps me get beyond my anxiety about what I'll give to whom, or whether I can finish my work in time before Christmas break or anything else that stands between me and my Savior - the Divine Infant of Bethlehem who will soon knock on the door of my heart.
I hope, during these last days of Advent, that you've had the good sense to read Isaiah these past weeks. I hope you've seen the wonderful love of God, going right back to that first sin of Adam and Eve - that Love that, in spite of us sinful, ungrateful, selfish, unloving children continues to call to us, to wait for us, to give us every chance to repent and turn our hearts and minds to Him.
Now don't think Isaiah's just "fire and brimstone." There are beautiful passages that address the holy one of God (who we now know is Our Lord) whom God will send to His people. How we need this Holy One!
Just in case you haven't been reading Isaiah this Advent, here are a few verses you can turn to in these days before Christmas. Try Isaiah 9:6-7; then 11:1-10.
You see how God loves us? You see how He planned, right from the beginning when we turned our backs on Him in the Garden - and no matter how many other times we've turned our backs on Him - to save us from ourselves?
That's why joy and peace only come from God. Only God loves us so much.
Comments