Day 13

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders,

and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

Isaiah 9: 6-7

Some of us, I’m sure, won’t be able to read these glorious verses from Isaiah without thinking of (or even humming!) Handel’s “Messiah”. I had the joy and privilege of singing that great work with my choir about 3 weeks ago.

In a year which has brought us a new monarch and no fewer than 3 prime ministers, it’s a timely reminder of how surprising God’s choice of leader can be. For the figure who comes to exercise God’s full authority is a child, a helpless baby who puts his trust in fallible but faithful human beings. Yet this tiny child comes as God eternal, the bringer of justice and peace to a needy world.

So, we are challenged to live in this marvellous hope which Isaiah holds out to us today. We are invited to work and pray for our troubled country and troubled world. We are encouraged to be peacemakers and not to live hopelessly, as those who despair of just government, but hopefully, as spiritual sisters and brothers of the one who loves us, redeems us and sends us out – Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Martin