INTRODUCTION
What is happening in the world today is in stark contrast
with the sterile and sleak images on our Christmas cards and decorations.
Isaiah 34 should be read parallel with Isaiah 35. In these passages judgement was prophesied
against nations like Edom, a model of those who oppose God. Isaiah shares with
us that the transformation of natures and the break from evil and demonic
control over all humanity will come.
SERMON
PROPER
From the beginning of ch 35, we are told that the splendour of
Carmel and the glory of Lebanon would be outstripped by the glory of God
himself. Those who are fearful are encouraged to be strong and not be afraid
because the blind will see and the dumb will sing. It is no wonder that Luke
wrote in 4:18-19 that the redeemed will rejoice for God will undo what is wrong
and all heaven and nature will sing.
How is that relevant today? We are into the third week of
Advent and the overarching theme is joy, that’s why the candle is pink instead
of purple like the rest. God will not abandon his people. He will come and save
us. He will create this holy highway so that his people can return to praise
the Lord. All the sighing and sorrowing will flee away (v10). The righteous will process with outbursts of
song and happiness as they walk towards the holy hill. On holy communion Sunday
that what’s the choir does processing down the aisle, coming boldly proclaiming
in song and prayers. ON this highway, are people in full confidence of the work
of God. Their sorrow and sighing will flee away regardless how dark and dreary
things have been. He extends this highway into every part of society.
How can we live out this joy? We share this joy by
demonstrating compassion to those who suffer. There is an intrinsic difference
between happiness and joy. Happiness is fleeting, it is here now but gone the
next. Joy, on the other hand, has greater substance because it is rooted in the
assurance that nobody can take away the “shalom” way from us. Joy is knowing
that God will come and save us. We will not always be happy but we will
certainly be joyful. In God’s scheme of things, there is reunion and he
delivers us from death an destruction. This is the fulfilment that he will come
and save us.
Personal testimony of celebrating Christmas in 2009 with his
dad in hospital. His father was diagnosed with advanced and terminal liver
cancer and he went home to be with the Lord in April of the following year.
Since then, it has been Christmas without his father. Yet he is able to live Christmas
with joy because God has saved his father and brought him where there is
another opportunity to meet again. So despite the difficulties and despair that
the world hurl at us, we have the promise of the faithful God. This Christmas,
he has been posting a new song everyday on his facebook page to rejoice with
all his FB friends that we need and must sing proclaiming that God has come to
save us in Christ and will come again soon. He then had the 11th
countdown Christmas song that he intended to post in facebook played, “Merry
Christmas with Love.”Sandi Patti "Merry Christmas with Love"
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