Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Isaiah chapter 9 verse 1:
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The Advent comes with hope for the people who were said to be not a people. It comes for those living on the borders. For the refugees. For the homeless. For the nationless. For the tired and hungry and yearning to breathe free. For los pobres de la tierra.
Sometimes we forget who it was that Jesus came to, where he did his ministry, and who with. The poor do not forget. They hear the promises of the Bible that the good news shall be preached to the poor and they believe. They hope. Perhaps they hope and believe because they have so little else to hold onto.
Last night we went to the home of some friends for church in order to commemorate Broadway’s 19th annual live nativity. For city kids — and adults — it’s always more than a 30 minute car ride. It’s a whole different kind of world, where donkeys kick and you have to watch your step because the cattle are “lowing”.
It’s a whole different world, where people are so poor they can’t get into motels and the only things they have for their baby are some old towels to wrap him in.
It’s a different world. It’s the world that Jesus was born into. It’s the world most of the earth is still born into.
And the Advent marches it right up to our doorstep.
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