Then the Lame shall leap like deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness And streams in the desert;
Isaiah 35:6
This section of Isaiah is part of a longer section that Is connected to my favorite Christmas hymn/carol, “Mary did you Know?”
I always wait for the first time I hear it on the radio every season and no matter what traffic I am sitting in, for a couple minutes, even though I am in the middle of the hustle and bustle, somehow my world is still, knowing God is with and among me.
Much of the New Testament always gives hope, but in the Old Testament there’s not as much that overtly gives hope and promise, but Isaiah does in many parts. In fact, my passion for ministry is based on these scriptures that give hope to the hopeless and give the most to the least. For in these passages is a renewal of spirit, mind, and body and everyone can always be uplifted.
In this season of Advent we wait, we long, we hope, and we see that babe in Bethlehem that we wait in angst and uneasiness for the whole season. But this passage in Isaiah gives us a glimpse of that hope before the main event and what a blessing that is.
During this Advent in a year of much loss for many people, and the angst of an election year, we need hope. We need promises of goodness, mercy and joy and Isaiah gives that to us. And what a gift it is.
Holy God, Bless us during this season to find reason to jump for joy like deer that awakened from their winter naps. Help us see the hope in your Son, the babe Jesus, under that bright and shining north star. Amen.
Rev. Michelle Wildridge is Director of Spiritual Life, Chaplain at Paul’s Run.
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