A season of love, hope, and anticipation

Icon of the Birth of Jesus Christ

What is it about Isaiah? I just love this prophet who is credited with chapters 1-39 and the ghost writers who continued his message. He reminds me of doom and eventual deliverance, while also giving me a vision of hope and strength.

Isaiah’s chapters are about those serving and obeying God and the judgements that are coming our way. Isaiah speaks in a voice strong in the knowledge that Jesus is coming to save mankind and when I read Isaiah 35: 1-10, no matter how much doom and gloom are in his poetic words, I am only able to focus on the beauty and hopefulness of his message.

In the first reading today, the lyrical words of hopefulness jump out to me from the page and almost immediately I can acknowledge the happiness of the passage. You see the words exult, rejoice and bloom, abundant flowers, joyful song, glory, splendor of our God, strong, here, save, burst forth, holy way, journey, crowned with everlasting joy and gladness. These words seize hold of my eyes and remind me that Jesus is indeed coming. There is no better time to read this passage as we all await the coming of our Lord during this Christmas season. The impending birth of Christ that promises our salvation. A timeless celebration.

Advent is here! Jesus is coming! It is a season of hope, love and anticipation. Each day during Advent we can unwrap the day exactly as we did with our advent calendars as children. Our candies replaced with exultation, rejoicing and joyful songs. We can focus on the glorious splendor of our God. His strength, and presence and salvation bursting forth. We can center our attention on our journey, the holy way, and our crowning with everlasting joy and gladness. The redemption of humanity by the One True God, True Man, Jesus Christ.

Author: Diane Camara, Records Office