Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10
7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
‘Your God reigns!’
8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy.
When the Lord returns to Zion,
they will see it with their own eyes.
9 Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The Lord will lay bare his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
Thought for Reflection: It was, I imagine, a day of great celebration when World War II ended, although for my family this was delayed with relatives fighting in the East (VJ Day being later than VE Day). It must have been a wonderful experience to get to tell others the good news that war was over. This is the scene pictured here in Isaiah, the joy of peace coming to Jerusalem as God returns winning for them peace, bringing them back home. Was this not also the story in the New Testament around the birth of Christ? Think through the Christmas story for a moment and bring to mind all the occasions of people telling others about Jesus. Angels, shepherds, wisemen, John the Baptist and many more, they’re all busy in those first chapters telling the good news. Isn’t this news just as vital and exciting now?
Prayer: Lord, as we look forward to the coming of your Son and the peace that he brings, show me who I can share this great news with.
Coming Up: Don’t forget that it’s SHINE this Sunday afternoon in place of our usual evening service, at the Community Centre from 4-5.30pm. This is a great chance to share the good news of Christmas with our community.
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