Isaiah
52:7-10
The people are waiting — waiting for the messenger who
announces the return of the Lord, for when the Lord returns to Zion then the
people too will follow. But as long as the Lord abandons Zion, the people as
well will remain in exile. Returning to life is completely dependent on God’s
own choice to return, to return to Zion, and to return to the people.
The “watchers”
know of this wondrous news as they see the feet of the messenger running
towards them. The “feet” is here used
figuratively: beautiful refers not to the feet but to the entire
messenger/message. This good news of peace is beautiful. It comes running to
greet the oppressed. It is an embodied peace!
The message is beautiful because it is for all
creation. Zion and the towns of Judah constitute the watchmen. They hear and
are glad because the Lord who reigns is the Lord who comes to deliver from
oppression and from the wicked. The Lord who reigns is God over all gods, over
all those forces, powers, idols, and obsessions that enslave the people. The
message is peace, good news, and salvation.[2]
Collect for
the Commemoration of St Thomas (21 December): Almighty and ever-living God, You
strengthened Your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in the
resurrection of Your Son. Grant us such faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our
God, that we may never be found wanting in Your sight; through the same Jesus
Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.[3]
Amen. – 21 December 2022
[1]
Joy to the World, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/christmas-day-nativity-of-our-lord-iii/commentary-on-isaiah-527-10[3]
Collect for the Commemoration of Thomas, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia
Publishing House, St Louis
[2] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/christmas-day-nativity-of-our-lord-iii/commentary-on-isaiah-527-10
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