The Word

Isaiah 2:1-5

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Reflect

By Christine Hershey, Director of Seniors Ministries

When we think of Advent, and waiting for new life, meaning and redemption to arise in the form of Christ’s birth, we already know the ending. We know the next steps, and what they are. The mystery has been taken away, to some degree. 

When we read the words of this Scripture passage, however, we don’t have that advantage. Because these words have been written by the prophet Isaiah, we have to imagine that we are still within the mystery. The events Isaiah foretold haven’t happened yet. 

And how do we have open eyes and hearts and ears and minds and bodies to hear the truth of these words? Isaiah’s prophecy seems somewhat ludicrous to those of us living in the 21st century.  Chapter 2, verse 4 says, “He (the Lord) shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

These words illuminate peace to a degree which can seem as distant as the heavenly realms twinkling far away in the night sky. And yet this is the vision which the prophet sees for the future of God’s people being with God on God’s mountain top. 

So how can we believe and pray and rest in this world of peace and reconciliation, which seems so impossible to imagine? By remembering the incredible story of a babe being born in a stable, surrounded by animals, with ripe odor emanating from all around them. And at the heart of this story of a babe come to earth in human form to redeem… Love. 

Love that makes no sense, and that is full of mercy and grace. Love that sees redemption through a child’s eyes and a mother’s heart. Love that believes and rejoices in the impossible. 

It’s as simple and as complex as that, and as mysterious and unknowing. All nations and people living and loving into a new world of peace and promise and restitution. All nations coming together to be made new. 

Prayer: God of peace and love, and God of all nations, remember us as we struggle to believe in a world and a way which is beyond our imagination and vision. Fill our eyes and ears, and our hearts and minds with the ability to envision the unimaginable. Whatever is blocking our vision in seeing a new and better way, both now and in the future, awaken and enlighten us. Prepare us to receive you and your love in brand new ways. Amen. 

Listen

By Dr. Ben Hutchens

While there are many carols and anthems that help us “get ready” for the great festival of Christmas, this setting of the words of the prophet always warms my heart. The promise of the Peaceable Kingdom of God provides a clear sense of hope and calm in the midst of a very hectic season. The recording is of our own children and adult choirs from 2019.  On advent 2, Dec 7, 2025, we will present the same at church in our annual celebration of Advent Lessons & Carols.

A shoot shall come forth out of Jesse,
And a bud shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of life shall be with him,
The spirit of wisdom and truth.

From out of the wells of salvation
Will he draw us the water of life;
His waist shall be girdled with justice,
The heart of his heart shall be Love.

He’ll come from the end of his heaven,
And the earth shall be torn from its place;
Our lives shall be filled with his radiance
As floodwaters cover the sea.

Refrain:
Then the lamb shall lie down with the leopard,
And the lion eat straw with the ox,
For the hand of a Child shall lead them
To the peaceable kingdom of God.

It is the words of the refrain that are most meaningful to me. May the voices of the children of Westminster remind us all of the promise foretold by the prophet Isaiah as our prayers for peace and concord ascend to the throne of heaven.