Thoughts for the Day

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

How the hearts of the British people must have sunk when they heard the voice of Neville Chamberlain on their wireless at 11 am on 3rd September 1939 that the country was at war with Germany. Mothers would be worried about their young boys and husbands who would be called up to fight, old men who had fought in World War I would wonder if they would be called up again, and those who had lost family or friends in the previous war would be dreading the thought of the same thing happening again.

In contrast when Winston Churchill announced the end of the War in Europe with a speech broadcast from Downing Street on 8 May 1945 it saw spontaneous celebrations break out across the country, and even the young Queen, then Princess Elizabeth ventured out with a group of friends, to experience the excitement. After almost six years of privation and danger across Europe the war had ended, even though it had not finished in the Far East.

This kind of joy should also be a part of our Christmas celebrations even in the midst of such turmoil in our world, for our God reigns and has initiated His long-term plan for peace. Isaiah foresaw centuries ago that God's chosen one would come to offer hope to those who can see God at work - to Mary who said "Yes!" to God's plan; to the shepherds who searched for the Child; to the wise men who followed a star to Bethlehem; and to us who wait for His Second Coming.

Father-God,
as Isaiah foretold the coming
of Your Son, our Lord,
and who looked forward with hope,
to a future reign of peace,
so may we look forward to a time
of peace across our world
when Your plans come to fruition.
May we be filled with joy
this Christmas when we hear again
the words of hope that "Christ is born"
and that our God reigns!
Amen,