God Saves

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid. ~Isaiah 12:2a

I imagine that over the past few weeks, and perhaps even more this weekend, you have been busy decorating, preparing packages for under the tree or the postal carrier, baking cookies, and otherwise making festive preparations in anticipation of Christmas Day.

The children at Saint Peter’s have been preparing for tomorrow’s Christmas pageant at 10:15 a.m. Forty-five children will be retelling the story of the birth of our Savior in word and song. The choir has been rehearsing for the Messiah sing-along, also tomorrow, at 7:30 p.m. Both will be sure to help provide focus for your soul.

Both will be livestreamed: the pageant at this unlisted link and the Messiah on our YouTube channel.

Tomorrow’s reading from Hebrew Scripture is a favorite and has been put to music in our hymnal – #679. You can listen to it here.  This hymn from Isaiah 12 anticipates the return of God’s people from exile in Babylon. The people are praising God for his faithfulness and abiding love. Notice how they praise God in advance of God’s action. How bold. How faithful.

God’s people are confident in their hope in God’s providence. “I will trust and not be afraid.”

In our own times of challenge, whether personal or communal, let us also be bold and faithful.  Do not be afraid. Do not let your hands grow weak. Take heart. God is in our midst.

Let us praise God for choosing to dwell among us in the person of Jesus and for promising to come yet again to make all things new.