Journeying With Christ: The Coptic Month of Kiahk of the Nativity FastSample

Week 1 Theme: Preparing for the Birth of St. John the Forerunner

Day 2: The Promise of Restoration

As we continue our journey of preparing for the birth of St. John the Forerunner, we turn our attention to the promise of restoration found in the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:1-2).

These words were spoken to a people who had endured exile and captivity, yearning for deliverance and restoration. They were a people longing for hope, waiting for the fulfillment of God's promises, and in the same way, we too find ourselves in need of restoration.

In the season of anticipation and preparation, we meditate on the promise of restoration that God offers us through His Son, Jesus Christ. St. Irenaeus of Lyons beautifully reminds us of this promise, saying, "When God the Son took flesh from the Virgin’s womb, He was uniting our nature with His and, in doing so, paved the way for the restoration of fallen men and women." So beautifully put: the Incarnation of the Son of God was for the restoration of the whole human nature.

We often find ourselves broken and weary, burdened by our own sins and the weight of the world but God's promise of restoration brings hope and comfort to our hearts. He longs to heal our wounds, mend our brokenness, and bring us into a place of wholeness.

Restoration is not merely a superficial fixing of our external circumstances; it is a deep transformation that occurs within us, a renewal of our hearts, minds, and spirits. Through Jesus Christ, we are invited to experience the fullness of God's love and grace, which has the power to heal, restore, and renew.

In this journey of preparation, let us embrace the promise of restoration by surrendering ourselves to God's transformative work. Let us lay our brokenness before Him and allow His healing touch to bring forth beauty from ashes.

As we reflect on the promise of restoration, may we also recognize our role in bringing hope and comfort to others. Just as God spoke tenderly to Jerusalem, we are called to speak words of encouragement and love to those who are hurting. Our words and actions have the power to bring healing and restoration to those around us.

As we journey towards the birth of Christ, let us remember that restoration is not a one-time event but a continual process. It requires us to be open and receptive to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Restoration calls us to continually seek God's forgiveness and to extend forgiveness to others.

During this week, as we meditate on the promise of restoration, let us seek the intercession of St. Irenaeus of Lyons, who understood the transformative power of God's love. His life reminds us that God's promise of restoration is not limited to a select few but is available to all who turn to Him in faith.

As we continue our journey, may we be inspired by the words of St. Cyril of Jerusalem: “The Word (Jesus) introduced Himself into that which He was not, in order that the nature of man also might become what it was not, resplendent, by its union, with the grandeur of divine majesty, which has been raised beyond nature rather than that it has cast the unchangeable God beneath [its] nature." Remember that God is faithful, even when we are not faithful to Him and He desires to restore and renew us. Let us trust in His promise and allow His grace to work in our lives.