The scripture above paints for us a glorious picture of hope in the Old Testament lesson of Isaiah. It is a hope that, from out of despair, blossoms through faith.

Before we arrive at the lesson in Chapter 11, Isaiah leads us through a recitation of the dark days of life. He speaks of the wickedness of the people, the invasions of the Assyrians, and the wrath of God for the sins of the people. 

But yet he assures that God is not ready to give up on His people and a way for salvation is coming. In beautiful poetry, he tells us: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” The stump has deep roots, extending far down. The tree has been cut off, but it is not dead. There is still life there, a chance for growth if only we would reach out to attain it.

The stump is Jesse, the king, the father of David, the ancestor of Christ who will come to help. The shoot shall grow in the light, and shall thrive through the spirit of God within. From the stump of King Jesse has come a new king who does not rule with worldly power, but with wisdom. He shall not judge by appearance, but with righteousness. 

In the kingdom to be established by He is to come, wolves and sheep will live together, and leopards will lie down with goats. This land shall be like the paradise that existed before sin was introduced. 

But how do we get to that new world? Advent helps to point the way. Every Advent is an alert, an awakening. It whispers, and it shouts, that there is a way to salvation. Let us pay heed to the one who was promised by Isaiah, and who has come. Let us embrace His message, so that we too can blossom from the stump, and, through faith, find salvation. 

Advent tells us that hope is present. That Christ has been born. That Christ will come again. As we sing in Hymn 66:

God bless you!

Ed