Isaiah 62:6-12
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem: they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; but those who harvest it will eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.” Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’ They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer deserted. Isaiah 62:6-12 (NIV)
Our family pet is a miniature schnauzer. This is our third schnauzer, and one thing we know for sure is that schnauzers are prone to barking. Whether outside in the backyard with a fence to obscure any details of the potential intruder or inside the house from any and all vantage points, these tiny canines earn their keep. Just as the Bible verse states above – they will never be silent day or night! So, I have a pretty good idea of what the prophet was calling for in the verse above when he suggests that the “watchmen” of Jerusalem constantly remind God that he must establish and empower Jerusalem emphasizing the role of unceasing prayer.
God also promises to protect and provide for his people.These verses were written to provide hope for the restoration of Jerusalem after its destruction and the return of its people from exile in Babylon. God promises that they will no longer be ravaged by famine nor humiliated by having their harvest consumed by their enemies. The prophet calls for the people to go into the city, and rebuild it. “Remove the stones. Prepare the way for the people.” God is calling for them to participate in the spiritual and physical rebuilding and to trust him in his plan to rebuild the city. The city is in ruins but God is promising to be with them as they rebuild. He then tells them to anticipate a Savior! He concludes by promising them new names for the people and their city symbolizing the transformation of Jerusalem and this renewed relationship with God. To a people feeling forgotten, these words provided solace and promise.
This scripture reflects hope in dark times, and it is a backdrop for any modern-day Christmas I believe. While it may not mention an infant or a manger, it does say a savior is coming just as God’s people are entering their beloved city in ruins. This runs parallel to the story that so many of us experience during the holidays. The holidays bring happiness and sadness, anticipation and apprehension, joy and pain. Reflection, remorse and redemption. We miss those not seated at our holiday table. Reasons are many – some heartbreaking, some practical - miles, work schedules, those who have passed on, estrangement with family members, mental/physical illness and addiction to name a few. We say our prayers of gratitude at this time. We may even shed a few tears. We may feel like we too are standing in rubble, but if we trust in God’s promises, we can see beyond our current circumstances. We can rebuild where we need to with God’s help. We eagerly anticipate the next opportunity to see our loved ones, and we fondly remember those who have passed on with respect and love. As God says here, “Remove the stones…prepare the way.” A savior is coming. Hope and light when things may seem dark and hopeless. A relationship with God is rebuilt, promises made and kept. A savior is coming.
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