Centuries before the birth of Jesus, Judah (the remnant of God’s people) was conquered by the Babylonians. Though speaking the word of the Lord prior to the fall of Jerusalem, the Prophet Isaiah envisions the coming judgment on God’s people and their time of languishing: exiled from the Promised Land and suffering under foreign oppression. Speaking into this painful reality, Isaiah gives words of hope:

“The people who walked in darkness
     have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
     on them has light shone.” (9:2)

Isaiah looked forward to the arrival of Jesus, the Light of the World! This Advent season we’ll reflect on a collection of these well-known and precious passages from Isaiah and consider anew the wonder of these words spoken centuries before, anticipating the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham, and looking forward to the great consummation.

As we exist in the “already, not yet” of some promises fulfilled, while still living in a world of suffering awaiting Jesus’s return, may God encourage our hearts and spur us on to persevere for his glory with great joy in this Christmas season!

Check out our past series in the Sermon Archive