You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout,lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:9-11 NIV
Here is Your God
Canada today has no official church, and the Government of Canada is officially committed to religious pluralism. While the Canadian government’s official ties to religion, specifically Christianity are few, the Preamble to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms makes reference to “the supremacy of God.” The national anthem in both official languages also refers to God. Some religious schools are government-funded as per Section Twenty-nine of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
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For centuries the people of Israel longed for the Messiah to come. Young Jewish women’s greatest desire was to be chosen to be the mother of the Promised One. After all, the prophets had spoken often about His coming. Isaiah, for example, had written in Isaiah 40:9-11: “You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah had been given a unique revelation about the coming Messiah. In these early days of the advent season we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the fulfillment of this promise – here is your God. He stepped into our world in the person of the Jesus Christ – Immanuel, God with us. The Messiah did come, and is with us still. That is worth celebrating.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley