Unwrapping Advent: Through Voices of Wisdom Dec. 2
Monday, December 2, 2024
Day 2
1A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse;
a branch will sprout from his roots.
2 The Lord’s spirit will rest upon him,
a spirit of wisdom and understanding,
a spirit of planning and strength,
a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.
3 He will delight in fearing the Lord.
He won’t judge by appearances,
nor decide by hearsay.
4 He will judge the needy with righteousness,
and decide with equity for those
who suffer in the land.
***
9 They won’t harm or destroy anywhere
on my holy mountain.
The earth will surely be filled with
the knowledge of the Lord,
just as the water covers the sea.
10 On that day, the root of Jesse
will stand as a signal to the peoples.
The nations will seek him out,
and his dwelling will be glorious.
Isaiah 11:1-4, 9-10, CEB
Hope for The One
During the Christmas season we hope for many things. We hope to spend time with family. A few of us hope for a white Christmas. We hope we have time to bake the cookies, wrap the presents, and watch beloved Christmas movies. And we all hope to find that perfect gift for a loved one.
But during this time of Advent, our hearts and minds often turn to hope for things even more meaningful. We hope we can learn to be more generous not only with our money but with our time. We hope those who are hungry will be fed. We hope justice will truly be available to all people. We hope we can find ways to live in peace with each other. We hope God’s priorities can be manifested in this world. We hope the season can truly be a time of “peace on earth and goodwill to men.”
I imagine the people of Isaiah’s time hoped for the same things. They hoped and prayed for their Messiah. They were looking for the One who would return Israel to its glory but more importantly, someone who would restore God’s kingdom to this world. As they read Isaiah’s words, they longed for the one who had “a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of planning and strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.”
As we go through this Advent season, as we look to Jesus, the fulfillment of Isaiah’s words, I hope we may be more generous, more open-hearted, more forgiving, and more ready to share God’s love to all. That is what God asks of us, not just this season but all year long.
Reflect: How can you and your family make Jesus the focus of your celebrations? What can you do to make true the words, “peace on earth and goodwill to men”?
Pray: Lord, during this Advent season, may I focus on Your Son. Help me always to remember “He who will stand as a signal to the people.” Help me to work wherever and however I am able toward the day where peace, justice, grace, and love will have the final word. Amen.
Carol Surplus
Seekers Small Group
Lay Leadership Development Team