Advent reflection #2: Peace (Rowena Erb)

By Rowena Erb

Isaiah 11:1-10, NIV

1 - A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2 - The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

3 - and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;

4 - but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

5 - Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

6 - The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.

7 - The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

8 - The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.

9 - They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

10 - In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples;
the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

This is now week 2 of Advent when we focus on Peace.

Soon we will be celebrating Jesus’ birth and are in the time of “watching and waiting” for him. In the passage from Isaiah 11, we believe that Jesus is the “shoot from the stump of Jesse”. We long to become more like Jesus ourselves and see the characteristics as listed in this passage, displayed in Jesus’ life: wisdom, understanding, might, righteousness, faithfulness and justice.

This Christmas season, how could we display more wisdom or understanding to those around us? How could we embrace righteousness and justice for the poor?

A Google search of the phrase “delight in the fear of the Lord” offered these responses:

• Find joy and satisfaction in reverent obedience and worship of God

• Have a profound respect and awe for God

• Recognize His power and holiness

• Find fulfillment in honouring God

• Be in intimate relationship with God, trusting Him fully

As I reflect on each of these statements, it causes me to pause and long for this to become true of me. May I indeed delight in the fear of the Lord this Christmas season and always. Peace be to each of you.

Romans 15:4-13, NIV

4 - For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 - May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 - so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 - Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 - For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 - and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing the praises of your name.”

10 - Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

11 - And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.”

12 - And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”

13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In this passage, I see a message of hope and of giving glory/praise to God. We are to accept one another, in the same way that Christ accepts us.

Christ came, as the “root of Jesse”, both for the Jews but also for the Gentiles (which is me and most of us!) We Gentiles are to “glorify God for his mercy” and to put our hope in Him.

I put my hope and trust in Jesus: I trust in his love for me and I rejoice and sing.

This Christmas season, may my celebration of Jesus’ birth reflect my hope and trust in him.

Reflect on the words of this Christmas hymn:

O Holy Night

Placide Cappaeu 1808-1877

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
and in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!

How can I strive to break the chains, to “treat the slave as my brother” and to be more accepting and loving toward others?

How can I allow the Holy Spirit to “fill me to overflowing” with hope in the midst of all that is going on in our world these days?