The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Isa. 61:1-3
Lord Jesus, there’s no such thing as being too familiar with the story of Advent. If the Swiss Alps always take my breath away, how much more so the glorious paradox of your nativity. In fact, the longer I linger in the promises surrounding your birth, the more awestruck I become. This morning, in particular, I’m deeply moved as I consider the unfathomable contrast between the weakness of your birth and the magnitude of your calling.
Who could’ve ever imagined that a baby, whose birthing room was a stable, would be the means by which God will stabilize and transform everything awry in the universe? Who had any way of knowing that the child who nursed from a young mother’s breast was actually the Ancient of Days—the one who brings the nourishment of salvation, redemption, and restoration to God’s pan-national people and much-loved creation?
Who had any clue, as you lay helpless and dependent in Mary’s arms, that you were the one of whom Isaiah’s was speaking—that you would be the one anointed with the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord… the power by which all oppression will be stopped and all chains will be broken; the means by which all injustice will give way to justice and mourning will be replaced with gladness; the guarantee that broken hearts will become healed hearts… despairing hearts will become praising hearts… and the disfavored will become the favored of the Lord? Who possibly could’ve seen, known, and believed such a thing and seized such a hope?
We praise you, Lord Jesus, for displaying your splendor so profoundly in your weakness and so powerfully in the gospel of your kingdom. May we, who have received the gift of your righteousness by faith, become oaks of righteousness by your Spirit—a verdant forest of mercy and grace… a people who love mercy, live justly and walk humbly with our God. May we increasingly live and love this way, until you return to finish making all things new. So very Amen we pray, in your most glorious name.