Isaiah 52:7-10 is today's reading, on this second day of Advent.
"How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the messenger bringing good news,
Breaking the news that all’s well,
proclaiming good times, announcing salvation,
telling Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Voices! Listen! Your scouts are shouting, thunderclap shouts,
shouting in joyful unison.
They see with their own eyes
God coming back to Zion.
Break into song! Boom it out, ruins of Jerusalem:
“God has comforted his people!
He’s redeemed Jerusalem!”
God has rolled up his sleeves.
All the nations can see his holy, muscled arm.
Everyone, from one end of the earth to the other,
sees him at work, doing his salvation work."
(The Message version)
Once again, in this passage as in the one yesterday, we see God comforting His people by providing a path to redemption. And, the prophet Isaiah proclaims how beautiful those messengers are who share the good news of God's salvation. There's a famous Christmas song that is based on this passage: "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
Last night, when getting ready for the first night of Advent, I thought I remembered buying a child's advent calendar and stashing it up in the top of a cabinet, years ago. Sure enough, when I went to look, there it was. I had seen it at Cost Plus World Market and on a whim picked it up. It cost $1.79.
I had such great intentions! The plan, those years ago, was to use it during family devotional time with my sons, to teach them about Advent. But, you know how life's hustle and bustle go....unfortunately, that plan was left behind in the dust, and the lonely little calendar sat up there on the shelf, wrapped in cellophane, until last night.
Unwrapping it, I noticed that behind each of the doors, there is supposedly a piece of chocolate - - - lol! 7-year old chocolate.....won't be eating that! I opened the first door, and lo! There was a little chocolate train, about the size of a postage stamp. I was expecting something a little more profound; but, then again, what can you expect for $1.79, right?
Advent calendars are great tools for parents who wish to "bring the good news" of Jesus' birth to their children. Young children would be fascinated by the advent calendar which promised a treat behind every door. As parents train their children up in the Lord, they hopefully come to realize that Jesus IS the treat!
Yesterday morning, at church, Stephen, one of my church friends had the privilege of baptizing his only son, Hunter. It was such a precious moment! Stephen and his wife, Melanie, have "raised Hunter up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord". Hunter has made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior and to follow Him. So, parents, remember! You are the first messengers of the gospel your children will ever see or know. Don't neglect training them up right.
Whether we are parents or not, we can all be messengers who share God's good news of Jesus' birth to "the nations", which means anyone who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Do you have "beautiful feet"?
Lord Jesus, you know, I was Facebook chatting with a dear friend last night about using our gifts to spread your Good News, not just the good news of Your birth, but also the good news of Your finished work on our behalf. You have equipped each of us to be messengers with beautiful feet, if we will only use them. As we wait for your coming, during this season of Advent, please show us anew how you have made each and every one of your children's feet beautiful! In Jesus' name, amen.
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