Isaiah 52:7-10 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 52:7-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 7How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Verse 8Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Verse 9Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Verse 10The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Devotion
What's the best news you ever received? A wedding announcement? A dream job? The birth of a baby? According to Isaiah, there's no news quite like the announcement of peace. Our striving is over, tensions have ended, conflict has ceased. "How beautiful ... are the feet of the messenger who announces peace" (Isaiah 52:7). Clearly, for Isaiah this isn't just any peace. God's messenger announces salvation, the breaking in of the very reign of God. Christ the Savior is born! In a world of seemingly endless conflict, we join the angels in singing of peace, goodwill to all. We give thanks for a light shining in the darkness. And we long for the day when "all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God."
Prayer
All hail the Lord's appearing!
O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth your beams so cheering
And guide us safely home.—O Lord How Shall I Meet You, ELW 241