Monday, December 5, 2016

Advent: blossoms of JOY

Isaiah 35:1-4
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”

Lord,
the prophet's song
points to incredible JOY!
Even the desert,
the deserted place,
the wilderness,
the barren place,
erupts abundant blossoms of beauty --
blooms of JOY.

Such is the in-breaking JOY
of your coming!
Lord Jesus,
you are coming into
the deserted places of my life,
the wildernesses of my world,
the barren places,
the lonely places,
the arid, rocky desert places
in my life and the life of the world.

And your presence there brings forth
JOY.
Unabashed, unashamed JOY.
Abundant blossoms of JOY.
Throw my head back, belly laugh, mouth wide-open JOY!

O come, Lord, Jesus,
bring your blossoms of joy.
Strengthen my weak hands.
Make firm my feeble knees.
Say to my fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
I AM YOUR GOD!"
Amen!
Come, Lord Jesus!

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