Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 42:1-25; Revelation 9:1-12
“Sing to the Lord a new song; and His praise from the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 42:10)
Only 4 days until Christmas. Can you hear it? It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. And so it should! “Sing to the Lord a new song!”
For, “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in Whom My soul delights!” That's Jesus, Whom the Father is talking about. He is coming soon, to be born of the virgin — your Lord, Who will “redeem you, a lost and condemned person, purchase and win you from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil.” That should put the “Merry” in your Christmas. And what a present to unwrap not only at Christmas, but every day! You do it every Sunday when you sing the Gloria in Excelsis, “Glory to God on high, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Yes, with the birth of His Son, God announces His peace and goodwill toward you.
But, you say, “I am not worthy. Maybe Peter was. Or St. Paul. Or Mary. Or Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But, me? I know better. My thoughts are often far from God. As, so often, are my words and actions.”
Well, guess what? Merry Christmas! For God's thoughts, God's Words and God's actions are never far from you. Just look into the manger. Just look at the Child as He grows for you, does good for you, and speaks peace and forgiveness to you and to all. Just look at the Child, fully grown, dying on the cross for you. Do you think He does all this for those who are well, who have no need of a physician (Matthew 9:12)? Do you think He does all this for the righteous instead of the sinners (Matthew 9:13)? Think again. He did it for you! How else could He live up to His Name, Jesus, which means, “The Lord saves” (Matthew 1:21)? Yes, He did it all for you.
The Father said at Jesus' baptism, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). You ask, “What's that got to do with me?” Oh, everything! Are you not baptized into Jesus? Then don't think the Father only spoke those words at Jesus' baptism. They were recorded there so that you would hear and and learn to trust them; they were spoken at yours, too. “My child, my son, my daughter, in whom My soul delights.” Your baptism sings those words over you every day. Yes, your baptism makes every day a new song, a mini-Christmas for you.
“I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and I will hold Your hand.” Those words apply to Jesus; so, baptized, they now apply to you. He calls you in righteousness; He holds your hand. Your Baptism says so (1 Peter 3:21). Christmas says so. So, ready to sing a new song?