Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 59:15b-21

Key Verse: “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. ~Isaiah 59:20

When you live with the reality of brokenness all around, it can seem as if God is hidden and hope is absent. Surely Israel found themselves in this position many times throughout their history. It is likely that you have found yourself in that place as well. Our sin and the sin of others has damaged the world that God created. From a human perspective it would be hard to blame God if he simply had decided to write creation off. But then, God is not human, God is God. And God is love (1 Jn 4:8). And God, in his love, looked upon his broken creation and was angered, saddened…and then moved with compassion. And God chose, of his own loving kindness, to send the One who would bring salvation to his wayward people and redeem his fallen creation. “A Redeemer will come” this became the hope, the lifeline for the people waiting in darkness, the people stuck in sin. This became the promise that brought life to the people of Israel and it is the promise that continues to bring life and hope today. Because the Redeemer has come and he is coming again. And he will bring salvation to those “who turn from transgression” (Isa 59:20).

As the liturgical season of Advent draws to a close and we prepare to celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation, the birth of God in human flesh, we can know that God has kept his promise, and the Redeemer has come and is still a living reality. And we can celebrate that we are no longer condemned to sit in darkness, stuck in our sin. For our Redeemer brings light and brings freedom and brings justice and peace. He is our salvation, for he delivers us from the kingdom of darkness and brings us into the kingdom of his beloved Son “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14). Praise be to God, for by his strong arm he has delivered us.

For Further Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 1:67-80 Psalm 45