Advent in Exile - Christmas Longing With IsaiahSample

Today’s reading begins...”There will be no more gloom to those who are in distress.” Now, that’s good news! Great news! Actually, the news gets better, as we read verses 2 through 7. Isaiah tells all who will listen that the Messiah is coming! This is the promise of all Scripture, the Hope of Glory! Jesus is coming! And as we read these verses, He will uphold the world with justice and righteousness forever. (vs. 7) But, the crowds who listened to Isaiah would have to wait. They would wait until exactly the right time, which will be determined in Heaven. It’s hard to wait.
Now, we ready for our second passage out of Luke 1. We find Elizabeth and Zechariah about to have their firstborn son born to them by a miracle. A promised son, one who would grow up and prepare the way for another promised son. (vs. 69)
Yes, Elizabeth and Zechariah were about to become the parents of John the Baptist. The baptizer of Jesus. The way maker for Jesus. John would introduce Jesus to this world that so desperately needs Him. In today’s readings, we find Isaiah shouting to the world that Jesus would come! We find Zechariah and Elizabeth anticipating the birth of their son, John the Baptist who would cry out to the crowds that Jesus would come! They knew. They knew that Jesus would change everything.
Do we?

"In Light of this Advent Season, what is your heart longing for?"

-Mike DeJager