Advent devotions 2007

Mon, 17 Dec 2007

December 18 - The chill of winter
By Luke Gascho, executive director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete scripture.

Devotional:
The long nights and chill of winter bring into question the reality of spring. While I enjoy all the seasons, there is a point in winter when I long for the signs of new growth – of green leaves and the flush of flowers blooming. The gray days and stark landscape become wearisome to the soul. A cry for hope emerges from within. The constancy of the cycles of the seasons – knowing that spring will come – reassures me of hope and restoration.

I see the "chill of winter" in today's text. Ahaz, king of Judah, has chosen to not rely on God. He has led the people into desperate straits by alienating other nations and sacrificing human life to other gods. Even when King Ahaz is given the opportunity to appeal to God for direction, he mockingly quotes words from Moses by saying he doesn't want to test God.

The prophet Isaiah doesn't accept this lame excuse and instead proclaims the coming of Immanuel. Isaiah speaks out of a responsive, sensitive relationship with God. He knew the importance of the everlasting sign of a child named, "God is with us." The sign brings hope for the day of Ahaz, for coming day of Christ's birth and for today.

God desires to see the world made right again. The announcement of "Immanuel" was for the past, but thankfully it is for the present. God is with us. God desires right relationships with all of creation. God – through Christ and through us – brings restoration in the midst of the bleakness of winter. And spring does come!

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16 (NRSV)
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: 'Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
Posted at 17:30 #



Disclaimer:
The views and beliefs expressed in the devotional piece prepared by each individual reflect their own spiritual growth journey and thoughts, and while created in a campus environment that encourages thoughtful questions and reflection on biblical Scripture and contemporary Christian themes, do not necessarily represent the official institutional positions of Goshen College or Mennonite Church USA.