SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 40:1-11 (NRSV)
The earth prepares for God
Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord's hand
double for all her sins.
A voice cries out:
"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
A voice says, "Cry out!"
And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
"Here is your God!"
See, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.
DEVOTION
Today’s scripture from Isaiah proclaims a glad day when all things are restored to their “supernatural” order!
This is the day that we are anticipating, waiting, and hoping for during this Advent Season. This day began one CHRISTmas morning over 2,000 years ago and it will come to complete fruition when the trumpet sounds and Jesus descends in glory at his second coming into the world!
When Jesus died on the cross for us, he once-and-for-all-time conquered sin, death, and the grave on our behalf. By sacrificing himself, Jesus saved us from our sin and gifted us with eternal life!
That is why Isaiah says, “Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Lord God comes with might…”
Wow! I love CHRISTmas! It’s all about that great day when God came into the world, meeting us in our place of greatest need, and securing our salvation through the love, grace, and mercy of taking our sin upon himself, as Jesus died upon the cross!
Hallelujah!
Today’s scripture says, “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Since we know that this is true, we can celebrate Jesus’ first coming into the world one CHRISTmas morn, and we can anticipate his second coming in glory during this holy-day season.
Joy the World, the Lord is/will come! Let Earth, receive her King!
Let us pray:
Thank you, holy One, that the glory of the Lord has been revealed to all people! I am so excited about the opportunity to share the CHRISTmas story with all of my family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. In this season, so many people are stressed out and anxious about shopping and the bills to come, please help me to offer them Isaiah’s vision of CHRISTmas where comfort and glad tiding abound! I love you and I can’t wait to share our love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
THE INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
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