Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,
And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,
The spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The spirit of counsel and strength,
The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1, 2 NASB)

When life doesn’t seem to make sense, when health, finances, relationships get difficult, it’s good to know there is someone we can look to, lean on and who has the answers to our very specific and intimate situation.

The promise of new life, hope and redemption when it seems like all has been reduced to a stump, is Christ to us.

And as descendants of Christ we are His beneficiaries. His spirit rests on us as well. Wisdom, understanding, counsel and strength are the resources we have at hand when we open our hearts to accept Him, to know Him, and to love Him.

We are blessed to know that we will once more bear fruit.

He comes to restore.

Advent is here.  The time of expectant waiting and preparation begins.  As the days grow shorter and the nights longer we are reminded of our need for the light.

The light that came to save us.  The light that came to guide us home.

Soon a thick blanket of snow will cover the ground.  The trees are already bare.  The skyline stark and grey as winter descends.  The earth begins its quiet slumber.

And so we withdraw.  We gather around candlelight, fireplaces, and fir trees lit up.  Our thirst for the light grows stronger.  Our flesh craves the warmth of the sun.

“Come …. let us walk in the light of the Lord.” (Isaiah 2:5)

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light — on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Our souls long for Him.  He from whom we came.  We long to return to our source.  Though the world outside swirls with busyness, self-induced demands, unprecedented distraction and an incessant press for more – – His Spirit whispers to us: less.  Rest you weary ones, gather around and see what wonder I will reveal to you.

And our hearts give up a collective sigh.  We exhale our consent as we gather together and wait with hopeful anticipation for He who saves us from ourselves.

Shalom