Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
Hope in God’s Promises
In the first reading, Isaiah gives a message of faith and hope for the desolate children of God. The barren one and the deserted wife are asked to shout for joy and break forth in jubilant song because God’s promise is to make their children more numerous than the children of the woman who has a husband. It is essential to note that barrenness in ancient Israel was a situation that came with an enormous load of shame and disgrace. No woman wants to be associated with such a condition or situation. Thus, the promise of God was an uplifting one. It was a hopeful and reassuring promise. It was a restoration message.
The experience of the barren and the deserted wife represent the plights (shame, disgrace, humiliation) of the Israelites in captivity, with God promising a restoration from exile. Their experience also represents what we, the children of God, pass through daily, our struggles, challenges, anxieties, etc. God has always promised to meet our needs when others forsake us. We owe Him gratitude and extol Him, as the Psalmist rightly puts it, “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”
I Will Not Forsake You Again
The reassuring promise of God is to continue to be with His people. His presence shows His love for His people, which is unshaken and everlasting, for God says, “though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, My love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken.” God’s presence among His people is also to comfort and strengthen them. It is to remind them that He is their maker, the Lord of Host, their God, and the God of the whole world. It is to show them He is the Holy One of Israel, their Savior, and their Redeemer. God’s presence among His people is not to intimidate them, cause them harm, or destroy them.
God’s promise not to forsake His people is the true meaning of Advent and Christmas celebrations. The Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, took flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14), and his name is “Emmanuel”, which means “God is with us” (Matt. 1:23). He is the God-made-man, who took our nature, and dwelt among us. The Incarnation, Jesus Christ’s coming into the world, is the epitome of God’s love for humanity. John the Evangelist puts it thus, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).
Prepare the Way of the Lord
Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of Christ. It is a season of looking forward and waiting for the annual celebration of the event of Christ’s birth (the Incarnation) and in anticipation for the second coming in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ called the “Parousia.” John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for the Lord and make straight his paths. His message was that every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be leveled, and winding pathways and rough roads made smooth. John’s message was the message of repentance and a change of heart. He offered the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Just like the first coming of Jesus Christ, we are also called to prepare the way of the Lord. We are called to level every mountain and hill and fill every valley of our lives. Thus, the question is, what are the mountains, hills, and valleys of my life? What should I do to enable the Lord to walk on a straight path in my life? What obstacles in my life affect my relationship with God and interfere with my spiritual life? We should avoid indulging in sin, sinful life, and occasions of sins. And should detest such sins as pride, hatred, wickedness, sexual immorality, dishonesty, lies, and cheating. We should eschew bribery, corruption, vileness, murder, violent and recalcitrant behaviors, stubbornness, other deadly sins, evil deeds, and inclinations. Generally, we are called to repentance and a change of heart that is desirable for the Lord.
Always remember that Jesus loves you.
Thank you for this wonderful Christmas reflection.