Isaiah 40:9-11

Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 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. (NRSV)

It is just one week until Christmas Eve. The world around us is always full of some sort of chaos. There is plenty to distract us from this time of preparation; there always is. Take this time to listen to our song today. Let the soft refrain of Hope wash over you, reminding you that your Hope and your Peace are found in God.

The world around us does not change quickly or easily, but in these moments, we are the ones who can be changed through the way we turn our focus. Breathe deeply and let the words remind you that even though the world around us is chaotic, our hearts and minds can be stilled, and we can be assured that God provides that for which we long. Our scripture for today, from Isaiah 40, is found just after the verse we hear Pastor Stewart remind us of each Sunday after the scripture reading:  The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah then invites us to go up to the mountain top and proclaim it. Our hope is in God. Now it is time to say it loudly. The more we say it out loud, the more we can embody this truth. Our very speaking of this hope in God pushes back against a narrative that would tell us otherwise. Our scripture ends with the peaceful reminder of the safety that God provides for us, just as a shepherd protects the flock, devotion and love envelop us. Let yourself be held and then proclaim the hope out loud. Let yourself be held … proclaim hope … be held … proclaim, on repeat.

Contributed by Kristi Button