Scripture: Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3 (NRSV)
The date of this Advent meditation posting, December 22, is the anniversary of my birth. My birthday has forever been fused with the celebration of Christmas, in part, because December 22 was often the day my parents reserved for decorating our Christmas tree. I cannot read these words from Isaiah without applying them to that tree. The garlands, lights and ornaments with which I adorned it signified my delight in Christ’s birth and awaken a deep-seated joy in my own existence as a God given gift. Whatever the origins of the Christmas tree, its meaning for me is unambiguous. Its evergreen branches signify the promise of eternal life. It is the occasion to sing glad tidings of joy to the world. Its lights reflect God’s glory, the light of the world. The star at the top, its crown of splendor, is that herald of the birth of Zion’s savior.
The Christmas tree, like these words of Isaiah, is an unrestrained expression of joy in anticipation of God’s vindication. Especially in the upper reaches of the Northern Hemisphere where the landscape can seem barren and shows signs everywhere of death and decay, the Christmas tree, like the bride and groom in Isaiah, signifies God’s promise of eternal life. Like the Israelites in the aftermath of the Babylonian exile, we may look about us and see the world as a dreary, bleak place and not at all the glorious restoration of creation promised earlier in Isaiah. We are still waiting for lambs to lay down with lions and swords to be beaten into ploughshares. In our increasingly secular society, it seems ever less likely that the nations will recognize God’s reign, ever more improbable that vindication will come. But as I gaze upon my tree and my soul rejoices in God, I know that just as the garden in which I planted fall seed and bulbs will bring forth shoots in the spring, God’s promise is true and God’s righteousness is constant.
Scripture: Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3 (NRSV)
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
62For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. 2The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. 3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.