Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV)
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Chapter 2The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Verse 2In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Verse 3Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Verse 4He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Verse 5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Devotion
Advent begins this Sunday. It is a time when everyone has an eye on the future, especially December 25. The retailing world began looking toward that date weeks ago. All of us are thinking about Christmas at many levels.
Isaiah has in mind a future far beyond a particular date. The prophet envisions a new age that God will bring, ushering in peace and oneness. It will be a day when God’s rule is established for all to see and experience.
Christmas is important, but Isaiah invites us to think of something bigger than a particular day. His words direct our minds and hearts to realize that in the birth of Jesus a new age was truly brought about. Through our faith in Jesus we are brought and help bring the world into a time that only prophets could dream of; a time filled with the light and love of God.
Prayer
God of all time, lead us to see in the birth of our Lord that new possibilities for our lives and your aching world came into being. Draw our eyes, and those of the whole world, to see in Jesus the hope we have. Lead us to live out that hope for all.