Readings: Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 125; Philippians 1:3-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6
“A shoot will spring from the stock of Jesse, a new shoot will grow from his roots. On him will rest the spirit of Yahweh, the spirit of wisdom and insight, the spirit of counsel and power, the spirit of knowledge and fear of Yahweh” (Isaiah 11:1-2)
These words of Isaiah are beautiful: 'a shoot will spring…a new shoot will grow’. The imagery here is one of life. One of the most amazing things in nature is to see the germination of seedlings. Before this, however, the ground has to be tilled. When that is finished all one will see is dark soil all around. Then one plants the seeds, and it is all still very dark, that is, all you see is the big lumps of earth. Then one has to water the soil, and wait. The wait, however, is never a dreary wait, for the farmer knows his crops will grow. One morning he will wake up, and all he will see is these little green ‘creatures’. The sight of this is beautiful. The farmer’s heart then becomes full of joy. Yes! Joy. In the fullness of time the Son of God, new life, came into a dark world, and he brought joy to our lives. This is the ever-present presence that we seek ever so surely.
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