An Advent Devotion for December 18    
Read Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6

One of the most touching images of scripture is the prophesy found in the book of Isaiah. “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.’

We yearn for a place of peace, justice and harmony . . . Not only in our nations but in our homes. We yearn for family members to get along with each other, to treat each other with respect and love. We yearn for a time when the heartache of division is gone. We yearn for a day when images of war fade into distant memories of an earlier generation. We yearn for a day when justice rules the earth and little children no longer starve. We yearn for a day, when every person is treated with dignity. We yearn for a time when there are no children who die in their mother’s arms because of starvation.

Shirley Erena Murray captures that yearning in her Christmas Song, Star Child:

“Street child, beat child,
no place left to go,
hurt child, used child,
no one wants to know,

Hope-for-peace Child,
God’s stupendous sign,
down-to-earth Child,
Star of stars that shine,

[Refrain] This year, this year,
let the day arrive
when Christmas comes for everyone,
everyone alive!” *

The child spoken of in Isaiah came to be known as the child of Bethlehem who grows up to be, not only a healer of individuals, but a prophet to the nations. Throughout his ministry, Jesus would return again and to the plight of the poor. Isaiah writes, “For with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.”

Prayer: God of justice, lead us to be people who stand with those who carry the weight of injustice. Make us your instruments of love, working for a more just and holy world. Amen.

Additional Advent & Christmastide Devotions can be found by clicking here:   Advent & Christmastide Devotions

*Shirley Erena Murray, from her book Every Day in Your Spirit (Hope Publishing Co., 1996, No. 23)