The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. Isa. 61:1–3 (NLT)
Lord Jesus, we are so thrilled you came to fulfill everything listed in these hope-saturated words from Isaiah. And we’re in awe, once again, as we reflect on your humble entrance into our world.
Though Mary nursed you, she depended on you for her next breath and her eternal salvation. Though vulnerable and needing her comfort as a newborn, you came to comfort all who mourn. O, holy and profound mystery—a newborn child has come to make all things new.
Even as a babe, you were the Sovereign Lord—the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, by whom all oppression will be stopped, all chains will be broken, all injustice and evil will give way to righteousness and peace.
By you, mourning is transformed into gladness, broken hearts become whole hearts, despairing hearts become delight-full hearts. We, the disfavored, become the full-favored of the Lord.
Jesus, the meekness of your birth was but a pointer to the weakness of your death. As surely as you were placed in an unlikely crib, you were nailed to an undeserved cross. “Hail the incarnate deity”—born that we no more may die, died that we may truly live.
We worship you, O, glorious and grace-full Lord Jesus. Continue to deepen our awe during this Advent season 2018. May we love others as you so faithfully and tenderly love us. So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and mighty name.
