Wednesday 20 December 2023

Today is Wednesday the 20th of December, in the third week of Advent.

The Choir of Portsmouth Cathedral sing The Advent Prose. Pour down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness.

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 7: 10-14

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.

Children often ‘cannot wait’ for Christmas Day: “Why is it taking so long? I want my presents!”

For Christians, this passage from Isaiah reveals a God who plays the long game! What kind of patience do you see in this God? . . .

Take a step – a big step – even further back. Consider the aeons that passed before the coming of Christ . . . For over 13 billion years God is able to wait for this Coming. Notice that God . . .

What is this moment of Christ’s Coming like for God? . . .

God, eternal and outside of time; God within and patient over time . . . Listen again, aware of the perspective of this mysterious God . . .

For a while, just sit with the God who loves you. Know that this God sees everything: the ultimate big picture . . . What does this God want to share with you? . . .

O Wisdom
Lord and Ruler
Root of Jesse
Key of David
Rising Sun
King of the Nations
Emmanuel
Come, Lord Jesus