Christmas is mere weeks away, and all I need is some peace and quiet. It’s funny, though. I don’t think “peace and quiet” is what Isaiah meant when he conveyed God’s message, “Comfort, O comfort my people…” Or, more specifically, I don’t think he meant quiet. Quiet isn’t the right adjective for the just peace that we are both waiting for and called to live into as we wait in this season. No, this just peace cries out not from halls of power but from the wilderness. It is a peace that refuses to stand by and be quiet while all the things that keep us from right relationship with God, one another, and all creation remain.
In the base camp of our church community, near and far, we journey together as our spirit waits to welcome the Christ child. We will explore the theme of Peace as we hear the words from the prophet Isaiah. We will keep the gift of Sabbath, learn sacred stories, sing, pray, reflect, refuel, and revive our sense of reverence!
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:1-11 (NSRVUE)
Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry out!”
And I said,[a] “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass;
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers; the flower fades,
[[when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers; the flower fades,]][b]
but the word of our God will stand forever.
9 Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;[c]
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;[d]
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him
and his recompense before him.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms
and carry them in his bosom
and gently lead the mother sheep.
