Text: Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 2:1-12
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” —Luke 2:10
Hearing the words “Christmas is coming!” can evoke so many different responses in us: Stress—Ugh, there are so many activities this month and so little time to just be together as a family. Panic—I only have so many days to get my shopping done. Regret—Why did I volunteer to do that thing when it is going to require so much of me? Envy—My holiday “experience” is not nearly as impressive as that which my friends are posting about on social media. Or perhaps more tragically…
Grief—This will be our first Christmas without _______________.
Such a wide variety of sentiments can invade our hearts, occupy our thoughts, and hijack the joy of the Advent season. When Isaiah prophesied that an “everlasting joy” was coming to all who trust in God’s word (Isaiah 35), he pointed to the promised future that would be inaugurated in the first coming of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:16–21; 7:18–23) and fully consummated at his second coming (Revelation 21:4; 22:1–5).
The whole tone of Isaiah 35 is established by the verbs “be glad… rejoice… rejoice with joy and singing.” As God’s people once made their exodus through a desert, their final homecoming is through glorious abundance, exploding with joy! Isaiah portrayed a highway for God’s people that was clearly marked by joyful abundance—one of pilgrims singing their way into their eternal home (cf. 33:8; 34:10). The “redeemed” and “ransomed” of the LORD would obtain a “gladness and joy” that had once been out of reach (vv. 9-10). This hope inspires strength and courage for those feeling weak and unsteady as they find themselves in a time of waiting:
“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’” (Isaiah 35:3–4 ESV)
The stabilizing anchor of hope that invokes real joy comes from the promise of God’s faithfulness to his people (“your God will come”). They will not be left alone. We know that His messianic promise was fulfilled in the person of Jesus, the “Christos” (“the anointed one,” or “the chosen one”) who takes away the sins of the world. We also know that, as the angel revealed to the shepherds at Jesus’ birth, joy is not just relegated to a select few, but a proclamation of Good News for “all the people” (Luke 2:10).
Consider this beloved: Advent is a time we can be reminded that we do indeed have the capacity to choose joy over all of our varying emotional responses. Joy is not some deluxe version of the Gospel, it’s included in the standard package! It’s about accepting that you do have a choice over your fickle emotions—that God’s truth can overtake them. Joy is trusting when you want to doubt. Joy is celebrating when you want to fear. It’s worshiping when you want to withdraw. Joy is listed as one of the “fruits” of abiding in the Holy Spirit instead of walking in the “flesh” (Galatians 5:22). In other words, it has a lot to do with where we set up the tent of our thoughts.
The Hebrew word translated for “rejoice” in Isaiah 35 means “to exult, to go about or to be excited to levity.” The word exult means “to leap for joy,” and it’s usually connected with a triumph of some kind. I can’t think of a greater triumph than what Jesus championed for us through his birth, death, and resurrection. What a reason to rejoice his Advent season!
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, may my mind dwell this season on the incredible gift of salvation through Jesus that is the source of all joy in this life and the life to come. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Advent Reading: Week 3
12/11 Sunday – Luke 2:1-12
12/12 Monday – Philippians 4:4-9
12/13 Tuesday – Romans 12:11-16
12/14 Wednesday – Romans 5:1-5
12/15 Thursday – John 16:22-24
12/16 Friday – 1 Peter 1:3-9
12/17 Saturday – Psalm 5:11