Isaiah 62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.
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Luke 19:39-40 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
 
GOD the Father speaks in Isaiah with an unrelenting purpose. For Zion’s well-being, for Jerusalem’s sake, for the salvation of his chosen people, God will speak his righteous truth. No force will stop the Father to call his people home to his kingdom.
   The Father is so determined to his purpose, he even promises and then sends his Son into the enemy’s stronghold. There will be no silent, holy night until the King of Kings reigns. The Almighty God will thwart any attempts to silence his purpose. His creation will not allow it. The stones will cry out. Indeed, “Let heaven and nature sing” (from Joy to the World) because the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalms 24:1)
   God’s unrelenting voice continues its unassailable power to re-capture his world into his glory. Throughout the Old Testament, into the New and now to today’s world, a Satan-influenced world has loudly attempted to silence heaven’s Good Word. “Scholars” and “experts” discredit the Bible, wanting to turn our faith into dust. Godless leaders of nations and other religions silence, imprison, torture and kill God’s people who speak his righteous love. Even many who say, “I am a Christian.” want to silence truth that intrudes into their desires. Some say they don’t want to tell people what to think and do. Yet, God’s voices continue to cry out, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) This is the message of hope, joy and promise the world must hear.
   How’s your voice? Does the unrelenting, loving God cause you to cry out, “Forgive me, Lord.” Does God’s glorious love and justice cause you to sing the songs of his peace. Do you shout above the world’s loud discords? Some people say, “I have a quiet faith.” But we ask, “Where does God instruct us to be quiet about him?”
 
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the constant sounds of your salvation. I pray I will “Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.” (Psalm 96:2) Amen.  

Isaiah 61:11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
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Luke 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. 
 
THE human heart longs to return into God’s presence in the perfect Garden. The Father created us to live in his glory; our hearts want that again. Sin has made our souls as a restless wanderer on the earth. (Genesis 4:12)
   Jesus came to offer you God’s rest. The Son’s mission was to points you to God’s Garden again. Jesus, the Living Word, spoke several Garden illustrations describing the kingdom of God. Here’s one: John 12:24 “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives.”
   Do you hear that? If a seed is not planted, and it does not die, it remains alone. Expanding, restorative kingdom power can only come to you when you die to the sin-shackled life. Jesus is the living illustration of his teaching. He died, so he could came out of the ground into the Resurrection Garden! From that single day, the gospel seed has been planted into the world. The apostles received Jesus’ glory, and they followed Jesus with a noble and good heart. In the rich soil of their love for Jesus, the apostles taught many new disciples to hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. The harvest had begun.
   One day God will welcome the faithful into his glorious fruit-giving Garden: Revelation 22:1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
   Fruit was the object of the first sin. God’s new Garden redeems the fruit trees, so they will be symbols of his forgiveness to heal the nations. God’s righteous Garden is your eternal home.
   How is your gardening? Are you seed-planting disciple? Do you expect – pray for – a harvest? Are you eager to return to Eden?
 
Isaiah 51:3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
 
Prayer: Lord, make my heart like the garden of the Lord. May joy and gladness, thanksgiving and the sound of singing be found in me. Amen. 

Isaiah 61:10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
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Luke 24:49 “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
 
WHAT do you wear to worship? It used to be the phrase “Sunday best” in America meant you were wearing your best clothes. We’ve seen that across the world, too, as people dress with their best clothes to attend church.
   But “Sunday best” in the U.S. has become “Sunday casual”. Perhaps that is one symptom that the church in the U.S. generally seems to be more casual about Jesus. True, our outer dress is of no consequence to our salvation and fruitful living. After all, it’s about being clothed in power from on high, isn’t it? But would it be more appropriate for our clothes to reflect the garments God bestows upon our hearts?
   The Holy Spirit has taken Jesus’ blood to wash you clean. Saved in Jesus, you are as a lavishly dressed bridegroom. God’s holiness marks you as he is. The Spirit jewels of knowledge brighten your countenance. You become as a bride in the view of a husband’s loving, devoted eyes.
   The apostles certainly knew this. When the Spirit dressed them in God’s power, they quickly showed the world their new clothes. With salvation on their lips and healing in their hands, the apostles began to dress the world with Jesus’ life-giving blood. The gospel’s garments of praise and robes of righteousness continue to fashion the world into God’s design.
   Dear Christian, do you know what you are wearing? Are you aware God has so lavishly dressed you? What would happen if “Sunday best” became your heart’s “Daily Best”? How would your life change if you joyfully wore God’s gracious love and righteousness each day? Would people see your garments of praise in the way you live? Would they know God covers you with his power? Would you know it?
   And maybe you could wear some really nice clothes to church periodically, so you would demonstrate the Lord has clothed your heart.
 
Prayer: LORD God, I thank you for the new clothes of my salvation. Keep my heart and mind diligent to dress in you each day, so the world will see your garment of praise covers my life. May I always be particular about the way I dress my heart for you. Amen.
 

Isaiah 61:2a-3 and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
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Luke 3:16-18 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. 
 
WE remember Advent is a season to both celebrate the Lord Jesus has come to earth and to rejoice in the promise Jesus will return in glory. The Father has a purpose with each of the Son’s incarnations.
   The Father first sent the Son to save you from sin’s curse. Jesus focused on that purpose when he announced to the Nazareth synagogue he had come “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:19) Favor is God’s grace to end the grief of sin’s curse. Jesus often confirmed his salvation purpose as in John 12:47 “I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.”
   Isaiah and John the Baptist tell us the Father’s second purpose to send Jesus: Isaiah 61:2a and the day of vengeance of our God. And John promises and warns, “His winnowing fork will gather the wheat – the redeemed. Then Jesus’ winnowing fork will burn up the chaff – the unrepentant with an unquenchable fire. Are you excited for Jesus’ winnowing fork? Do  you pray he will come quickly? You should be so hopeful and prayerful.
   After all this the joy of your salvation, isn’t it? When Judge Jesus has finished his winnowing work, gladness will reign over all the redeemed. All prophecies will be complete. Beauty will crown your redeemed soul. Aromatic healing oils will anoint you with heaven’s sweet aroma. Praise will flow from your mouth. Joy will break forth when you worship the king. Despair is done. It will pass completely from your consciousness.
   You thank God for the Son’s first coming. He has made the way for the Spirit to birth your sinful souls into a new life now and forever. How marvelous it will be on the day Jesus welcomes you into his home! God’s Favor will be complete in you forever.
 
Prayer: Lord God, your favor is displayed in your very personal plan to save me. I anticipate with joy you are coming to judge the world, and I may live eternally with you. Amen. 

Isaiah 61:1-2a The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
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Luke 4:18-20 (Jesus said) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
 
HERE is the Holy Trinity. The “Spirit” (the Holy Spirit) of the LORD (the Father) is upon “me” ( the Son). This is the Word made flesh (John 1) to fulfill his prophetic purpose as he read from the scroll to the synagogue congregation in Nazareth. Jesus, the Living Word, teaches God fulfills his prophecies through him. In the triune God’s favor, which is his grace, love, mercy and forgiveness, the Spirit anointed Jesus to minister God’s salvation from sin’s bondage. Isaiah spoke of God’s coming favor. God’s favor became flesh – a living, teaching, righteous man. Jesus was born. Jesus lived. Jesus died. Jesus rose. Jesus ascended. Jesus sent the Spirit. God’s favor is the gospel.
   Therefore it is now possible for such “born-again” teachings as Paul wrote: Ephesians 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
   Jesus is God’s Favor. Through your repentance of sins and confession of Christ, you become God’s favored inheritance. How glorious is the Lord’s Favor! Praise the Lord.
 
Prayer: We gratefully receive your Favor, Lord. His name is Jesus. We confess he has fulfilled Scripture’s salvation promise. Amen. 

Isaiah 60:1-3 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
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Matthew 2:1-2, 9-10 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”… 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
 
WE shift briefly from Luke to remember Matthew also affirms Isaiah’s Messiah prophecies. The prophetic light is real, isn’t it? The star viewed in the eastern regions of the Middle East pointed to a light that had come into Judea. How did they know this light had special meaning? After all, one could say there are many bright stars and planets in the sky at different times in the heavens.
   The bible tells us there are many times God very plainly reveals his glory to mankind. This may have been a star born at creation to come into view at this particular time. Or we can surely believe God created a special light to literally fulfill Isaiah’s words. After all, with four words God positioned his presence into a formless void when God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3). How easily with one word Almighty God could have lighted a bright light in the Judean sky to urge the world to come to the King of Glory.
   Yes, the Bethlehem Star is a physical revelation of God’s plan to save the world. One day Jesus would teach us to be that kind of light to a formless world: Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”  Later, at the Feast of the Tabernacles Jesus  would declare he is the Glorious Light: “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12). Light is the Savior’s very essence.
   God’s prophets in Judea, his star in the sky, and his Son on the earth proclaimed it is time for mankind to rise. The Lord commands us to faithfully stand and actively be the evidence of the Lord’s glory. This is the power from heaven’s throne that rises upon you to join with the ascended Christ.
   Rejoice! God declares his salvation light is shining: Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).  
   See, pursue, know and worship the Light.
 
Prayer: Holy God, you set before us the Light of the World. May we daily worship him with joy and thanksgiving. Amen. 

Isaiah 52:7-9 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. 9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
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Luke 2:10-11, 15, 20 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord…15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”…20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
 
DO you see the action here? Messengers announce the news. Watchmen tell the good news. Angels proclaim. Shepherds go.
   An experienced watchman knew good news was coming when the messenger’s feet ran quickly and lightly from the battle to eagerly proclaim victory. Even as the runner was far off, the watchman would gladly announce these tidings of joy arriving on the feet of those who brought the good news of victory. A natural outpouring of song and praise came from the citizens as they celebrated salvation from an enemy.
   On that glorious night over Bethlehem’s pastures, the shepherds became God’s watchmen and messengers. Eagerly, in joy and anticipation, wonder and awe, the working men received the good news, and the shepherds’ feet took them to see the King. Then with victory in their steps and a song on their tongues they proclaimed to the world all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. How beautiful it would be in our Christian lives to be such witnesses of God’s victorious news. Joyfully we would run to announce the victory proclamation: “A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!”  
   Do you announce the Savior’s victory? You do when you talk of God’s salvation. Your message to a waiting world announces a Savior has been born. Tell a captive and wondering world Jesus has come to comfort your heart and redeem your soul. Take to them the good news the Lord God has given the weapons to defeat death. Glorify God for his love, mercy, grace and peace. It is good to tell the good news is     
    
Prayer: Lord God, urge my feet onward, loosen my tongue upward to tell the good news of great joy that is for all the people. Amen.

​You Will Be Redeemed
 
Isaiah 52:1-3 Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. 2 Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. 3 For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”
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Luke 1:49-50 for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 
 
ONE purpose for the Advent season is to remember God’s past salvation promises and then to find special joy in his future salvation promises. From Genesis through Malachi you can read of the Lord God’s many assurances he will redeem the entire world from sin’s curse. You can then rejoice in the gospels’ messages especially during the Christmas season to know God has fulfilled his promise, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
   God spoke his sure salvation through Isaiah, “O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.” The LORD God declared Jerusalem would be free of sin. The uncircumcised are those whose stone hearts remain against the Lord. Contrary to a great lie that infects even the church today, not every person will be saved. The unfaithful will be judged. The new Zion, home to the church, will be the city of God’s redeemed free from sin and sorrow.
   Mary’s Spirit-inspired words then affirmed the prophet’s. She did what each believer must do. Mary first confessed her personal salvation in the Lord. The same confession “the Lord has done mighty things for me” is to be on your lips with faith, honor and awe. Affirm God’s salvation over your life and praise the Lord’s ongoing work to sanctify you more completely in his truth.
   Then Mary’s words point to the future. “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” To fear God is to recognize his holiness and worship him. God’s gracious mercy is his salvation. Worship God. Know that in grace and love, his sovereign authority forgives and redeems you into his holiness. This Spirit-empowered faith will circumcise sin from your heart, so your heart will love God. With great joy you know without money you will be redeemed. How deep and true is God’s love to pay the full price of your sins with his Son’s sacrificial life.
   Remember this: unto you a son has been given; unto you a child has been born. God is redeeming the world just as he has promised. One day sin will be no more.
 
Prayer: Your great mercy has come to my soul, Lord. I praise you for your great love to welcome future generations into you holy city. Amen.         
 

IIsaiah 11:10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.
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Isaiah 45:23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
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From Mary: Luke 1:54 “He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”
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From the priest Zechariah: Luke 1:68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David  70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us – 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
 
WORDS from Isaiah, Mary and the priest Zechariah, who is John the Baptist’s father, point to God fulfilling his covenant with Abraham: Genesis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples will be blessed through you.”
   The prophecies and praises are true. Out of Abraham’s loin has come first the prophets to prophesy the coming Messiah. The Father used Mary to bear the Son. Then John came to literally point to and baptize the Son of God. From the Son’s ministry and through his resurrection the Spirit has ignited the church of Jesus Christ throughout the entire earth. Yes, there remain some people groups who have yet to know of Jesus. But the gospel is expanding day-by-day to unreached people. One day God’s Banner will be everywhere to declare salvation in Jesus’ name has come to the nations.
   Paul confirms God’s ultimate purpose in Romans 14:11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” God’s redemptive Savior will reign throughout the entire earth.
   This is Christmas joy. This is life’s joy. There is no reason to be dismayed or doubtful. There is only a sure hope in the Christian’s life because we know Jesus’ name is above all names throughout the world. Try as they might persecutors can never, will never silence God.
  
Prayer: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. (Psalm 8:1) Amen. 
 

Isaiah 11:3b-5 He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
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Luke 1:52-53 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
 
ALL through the world corrupt governments impoverish their people. Specific persecutions against Christians destroy families, homes and businesses. Injustice displays its imprisoning power as the world’s way says, “Might makes right.”
   But praise God. When the Christ returns, righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness his sash. He will embody justice and power. Scripture declares with Isaiah’s and Mary’s words Jesus will come one day to judge. All believers will rejoice and worship the Righteous One as he establishes his eternal throne on his pure Word.
   Praise the Savior! The wicked – the unbelieving – will be judged to their just penalty of eternal condemnation. In turn, Jesus will judge the righteous into eternal life. His decisions are true to his Word. God’s righteous judgments will rule the redeemed earth.
   The beatitudes in Matthew 5 is one way Jesus preached his righteous truth. Yes, it is true: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:5-6) All praise and honor will be unto the Lord because has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things. The Bread of Life has come.
   Is it any wonder God’s salvation is called good news? How truly good our life is at all times, even amid our daily struggles, when we know God’s good righteousness saves us to himself.  
 
Prayer: Guide my heart more deeply to your righteousness, Lord. Teach me humility, mercy and love toward others. Amen.