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 that the phrase “Sunday best” in America meant you were wearing your best clothes. That phrase has become obsolete, turned to “Sunday casual”. Perhaps that is one reason the church in the U.S. has generally become casual about Jesus.
   It’s true that our outer dress is of little consequence as it relates to our salvation. After all, we must wear Jesus’ gospel on our heart. But would it be more appropriate for our clothes to reflect the garment of salvation God bestows upon our hearts?
   There is a wonderful “best dress” scene in Zechariah. God has brought the Jews home from their exile in Babylon. In a vision, the Lord reveals his forgiveness to Israel: Zechariah 3:4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.” This is what Jesus has done for you. God has brought you out of sin’s exile to forgive your sins into his holy garments of praise! How gracious your God is to dress you in garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness. Saved in Jesus, you are as a lavishly dressed bridegroom. Head to foot God’s holiness marks you as his. The jewels of God’s Spirit brighten your countenance. You are as a bride in a husband’s loving, devoted eyes.
   Yes, in Christ, you are dressed in the best. The first apostles certainly knew this. The Holy Spirit refined them and made their hearts new. They quickly showed the world they were dressed in God’s garments of praise as they displayed his power from on high. Clothed with salvation on their lips and healing in their hands, the apostles began to cover the world with Jesus’ life-giving blood. Garments of salvation and robes of righteousness became the fashion to transform a pagan world.
   Do you know what you are wearing? If you confess Jesus, are you aware God  has so lavishly dressed you? What would happen if “Sunday best” became your “Daily Best”? How would your life change if you understood more deeply that God has dressed you in his gracious love and righteousness each day? Would people see your garment of salvation in the way you live? Would they know God covers you with his power?
   Would you know it?
 
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 61:2b-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. 
 
ADVENT is a season to celebrate the Lord Jesus came to earth. it is also a time to anticipate and celebrate Christ’s promise to come again. In our previous lesson we included the first part of Isaiah 61:2. Now we add the second part in this lesson. Here is the full verse: Isaiah 61:2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn. In essence, Jesus divided the verse as he announced his ministry in Luke 4:18-19. Jesus stopped reading the scroll at “the Lord’s favor”. He did not read, “the day of vengeance of our God.”
   Jesus did so that day in Nazareth because he stated his immediate purpose. As he said elsewhere, “The Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) This is God’s favor to reveal the possibility and reality of a redeemed life with God forever. After the world has had time to repent, Jesus will then come on the day of vengeance. His winnowing fork will cast the chaff into the unquenchable fire and gather the wheat into the barn.  
   God’s favor has revealed the gospel. Jesus’ first advent has drawn a precise line between righteousness and sin. We await his second coming to administer God’s justice to all.
   Many believe. And many do not. Despair is done. Believers are welcomed into the new Jerusalem. Beauty crowns their heads. Aromatic healing oils anoint their bodies. Praise covers their souls. Their worship is joy. Faith firmly marks God’s church when we stand in his righteous truth. The Lord has planted his church to be oaks of righteousness to display his splendor.  He will comfort all who mourn into the joy of his salvation.
   We thank God for the Son’s first advent. We thank God for the Son’s second advent. What joy you know when you trust in God’s favor to cover you with his garment of praise and splendor forever.
 
Prayer: Lord God, your favor is displayed in your very personal plan to save your own throughout the world. We anticipate with joy your coming to judge the world, so we 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. Isaiah prophesied. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy. From Luke we hear Jesus speak Isaiah’s prophecy to the synagogue congregation in Nazareth. The Trinity’s Favor was upon Jesus. That means Jesus came in God’s grace to exhibit God’s love. In his tender mercies Jesus preached freedom for a world captive to sin through his forgiveness of sins. In his glorious sacrifice Jesus made the way for you to escape sin’s oppression forever. What joy you can celebrate at Christmas and each day of your redeemed life. The Spirit’s Favor has awakened you to know the Son came in the Father’s will. Through the Spirit’s power your confession of sin frees you from sin’s dark bondage. This is the gospel.
   Paul emphasizes the gospel’s transforming power in Ephesians 2:3 All of us also lived among the disobedient 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.
   Grace is God’s Favor. With a servant’s heart, hands and feet, God has come in the flesh to become your risen Savior. The Spirit has come in power to awaken your soul from death and release you from hell’s prison into eternal life. How glorious is the Lord’s Favor! Praise the Lord.  
 
Prayer: I receive your Favor, Lord. His name is Jesus. I 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 see how Matthew also affirms Isaiah’s Messiah prophecies. This is a clear image of light, isn’t it? The star viewed in the eastern regions of the Middle East pointed to a light that had come over Judea. Why was this special? After all, one could say there are many bright “stars” at different times in the heavens.
   However, isn’t it possible to understand God created a special light to literally fulfill Isaiah’s words? After all, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3). Surely, with a word he could have placed a bright light in the Judean sky to urge the world to the King. Or perhaps at the dawn of creation he formed a bright star to be in place at his appointed time. Yes, Glory be to God. The Bethlehem Star is a physical revelation of God’s plan to save the world. One day Jesus would personify the light as he declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Both the star in the sky and the Lord on the earth proclaimed it is time for mankind to rise – to stand – and to seek the Lord’s glory that rises upon you. In response, people of all nations are coming to see the Christ, the supernatural Light, who overcomes and dismisses sin’s darkness. Throughout the globe and across generations, God declares his salvation plan is being fulfilled: 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).  
   This is God’s gracious, loving blessing of salvation come to mankind. With joy the Magi discovered and worshiped the Christ; I pray you are as they. Seek Jesus. Worship the him. Be his light.  
 
Prayer: Holy Father, 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, feel and hear 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 from the battle to eagerly proclaim victory. The watchman would gladly announce these tidings of joy to the city. A natural outpouring of song and praise celebrated salvation from an enemy.
   On that glorious night in Bethlehem’s pastures, the shepherds became God’s messengers. Eagerly, in joy and anticipation, wonder and awe, 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 wonderful it would be in our Christian lives to be such messengers who joyfully announce the victory proclamation: “A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!” Indeed, how beautiful it is to truly know the good news, to joyfully tell the good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Know in your heart the joyful good news from God Almighty to the world. Be the King’s faithful messengers to your family and your community. Your life will glorify and praise God for all the things (you) have heard and seen.
    
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. 

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 (Mary said) “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.” 
 
ARE you awake, church, to proclaim God’s salvation? Are you rejoicing the Mighty One has done great things for you? Isaiah’s and Mary’s words call us to attention. They call us to action, to step into the joy of Jesus’ redemption. God wants you to readily pursue the salvation he has graciously given to you.
   Be of a mind this Christmas season to purposefully celebrate Jesus’ first coming. Advent is to remember God’s salvation promise has come true in Jesus’ birth. And this season is a time to remember God’s promises to send Jesus once more to redeem the world. We hear this often, and we must treasure it in our hearts, for God’s salvation is a most precious and wondrous gift.
   From Genesis through Malachi the Lord God promises he will redeem the entire world from the sin in the Garden of Eden. And the New Testament affirms God fulfilled his promise. Rejoice at Christmas time to know, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
   And rejoice that one day evil will be gone forever from the eternal city Jerusalem, “O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.” The uncircumcised are those whose hearts remain stone against the Lord. These unfaithful will be judged. The new Zion, home to the church, will be redeemed and safe forevermore.
   Mary’s Spirit-inspired words are good words for you, too, as you affirm Jesus’ salvation. “The Lord has done mighty things for me” are joyful, worshipful words. How magnificent and mighty God is to save you. How glorious to have treasure in your heart, “He has done this for me.” As you confess Jesus as your Lord, affirm God’s salvation in your own heart. Praise the Lord for his ongoing work in your life. Then speak to others and tell them the Lord’s will is to do mighty things for them.
   Then Mary’s words point to the future. “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” God’s gracious mercy is his salvation. With grace and love, he forgives and redeems you into his holiness. He teaches you that his sovereign authority establishes your life out of sin and builds you into his holiness. Spirit-empowered faith circumcises sin from your heart. With mourning, you recognize your sin was so deep, only Jesus’ death and resurrection could lift you high into God’s mercy. In joy you know without money you will be redeemed because Jesus has paid the costly price.
   Remember, 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 you will be one with heaven.
 
Prayer: Your great mercy has come to my soul, Lord. I praise you for your majestic love to welcome generations into you holy city. Amen.        

Isaiah 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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Luke 1:54 (Mary said) “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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Luke 1:68-79 (from the priest Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father) “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.”
 
YOUR tender, merciful God loves you. He has told you so.
   We have been reading of his love through the prophecies and proclamations of Isaiah and Mary. Now Zechariah praises God for creating and sending his son, John, to be a prophet of the Most High. John’s purpose is to advance the salvation covenant God expressed to Abraham: Genesis 12:3 “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. John has been born to announce that the Son of God will come from Abraham’s loin. And now from the Son’s resurrection, Jesus’ church is declaring the name of Jesus is God’s Banner to save the nations.
   You could say the Bible is the banner of God’s love. In Jesus there is no Old and New Testaments. There is one testament, one promise of God’s redemptive power declaring his reign throughout the entire earth.
   This is Christmas joy. This is the sure hope we have when we know Jesus’ name is a Banner for our souls. Your tender, merciful God loves you. He has told you. He has shown you. May his Banner be upon your heart.
  
Prayer: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. (Psalm 8:1) Amen. 
 

Isaiah 11:6-9 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.  9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 
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Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
 
PEACE is difficult to find, isn’t it? Far too many things in our world upset us. When one issue seems solved, another appears. How many times have you said, “All I want is some peace and quiet?” The picture he gives to us from Isaiah’s beautiful view of the new heaven and earth is a great encouragement for our future with Jesus. And the angels’ announcement, “On earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” at Jesus’ birth is a wonderful blessing.
   Yes, God promises peace in eternity. And even more! He wants you to have that peace and quiet in your soul now. At Jesus’ birth, God activated his peace promise into mankind’s restless heart. His ancient promise from the prophet and his historic announcement from the angels are a launching point for the Savior’s work to soothe your restless heart.
   To confess Jesus as Lord is to know he has gone through the deep conflict of humiliation, separation and crucifixion, to pour God’s peace over all who believe. He knows with real human experiences how disturbing life is in a sin-conflicted world. That’s why as Jesus prepared to leave his disciples, he wanted them to absolutely know, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” He may even emphasized, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) And when he met his disciples the night of his resurrection, he said, “Peace be with you!” And note: After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  (John 20:)
   Jesus said, “Peace be with you.” And then he showed his nail-pierced hands! Jesus sent them on a mission that caused nearly each of them to suffer physically and emotionally. Many died terrible deaths for his sake. Their lives would have great turmoil.
   But amid their turmoil the disciples would know, “Jesus has given me his peace.”
   Are you unsettled, too much worry and discontent in your heart. Then look to Jesus. He is there with his peace because he is Savior of the world. When you are full of the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord, you are full of Jesus. He has come to you full of grace and truth to make you his own. Yes, his peace and quiet is for you right now.  
 

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 (Mary said) “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.”
 
THROUGHOUT the world corrupt governments impoverish their people. Persecutions against Christians destroy families, homes and businesses. Injustice displays its imprisoning power. The world’s way says, “Might makes right.” But praise God these unjust governments will disappear one day.
   Isaiah’s and Mary’s words are among the many Bible passages to tell us that when Jesus Christ returns, righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness his sash. All believers will rejoice and worship the Righteous One.  He will establish his eternal throne in the new heaven and earth on the purity of his Word. God’s true way will rule the redeemed earth.
   But let’s not wait. God rules the redeemed heart. Let’s know we can live now in Jesus’ righteous truth. The Spirit has taught us through the gospel and the epistles. We know from the Beatitudes, for example, that God will bless humble, merciful hearts. 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) As you know God has saved you, live so that all praise and honor will be unto the Lord. Rejoin that he has lifted up the humble to know his love and forgiveness. With gladness know he has filled the hungry with good things. He is the eternal bread of life. You will never be hungry for his presence when you consume his truth. The gospel is God’s good news that his care for you is eternal.
   So don’t wait for eternal life to enjoy God’s loving presence. A redeemed life loves all God is; you will seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) Live in faith, so you know whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
 
Prayer: Guide my heart more deeply to your righteousness, Lord. Teach me humility, mercy and love for others. May I continually find joy in your blessed presence in my life. Amen. 

Isaiah 11:1-3a  A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord – 3a and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
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Luke 2:40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. 
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Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert.
 
WITH two sentences - three verses - Isaiah records God’s eternal plan for your salvation. Just as briefly, Luke summarizes God’s way to declare the gospel. The Branch, who is Jesus, will come from Jesse’s family. From Jesse to David and through the generations to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, Isaiah’s prophecy came true.
   Isaiah also described the Branch’s character. He will have wisdom, understanding, power, knowledge and fear (honor, awe, reverence, worship) of the Lord, and it will delight him.
   Luke then revealed the fulfilled prophecy. The Spirit empowered Jesus’ birth. Luke 1:35 (speaking to Mary) “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Jesus then grew to became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. When it was time to minister the gospel, the Spirit rested on Jesus, who was fully man, to baptize and fill him with God’s power to display God’s will on earth. Isaiah prophesied and Luke recorded how the Holy Trinity purposefully worked from eternity past to reveal the knowledge of God. In his grace, God has formed the way to him. He gave us his Word, the Holy Bible, so we know the way to grow in wisdom, understanding, power, knowledge and fear in our relationship with God.
   Are you a Christian? You are then the fruit of God’s eternal salvation plan. Your purpose is to know God. How will you respond to the glorious life he has given to you?  
 
Prayer: Holy Trinity, you have set for us an example of purposeful learning. Empower us, Spirit, to know God, to gain understanding and to delight in the worship of the Lord. Amen.