Joy in our Waiting

This Sunday, we light the pink candle of joy, as we take a noticeable, important, turn from that of preparation to that of joyful anticipation of the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. 

If we are honest and aware, we acknowledge that we need good news. We need a reason to rejoice despite how we are and how we find ourselves. We are like those that the Anointed One said he had come to proclaim good news - those who are in some way poor, brokenhearted, captives, prisoners, mourning, or grieving. But, what is this good news that causes us to delight greatly in the Lord?

In short, the Lord will "make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." And the astounding manner he is doing this is for and involves his people - those to him the good news is preached. And, yes, that audience was Old Testament Israel, but expands to include the nations as Isaiah 61:1-11 indicates.

The recipients of the good news will be called "oaks of righteousness." And this righteousness is both:

• What his people receive

• What his people do

Both of these are worth looking at and rejoicing in. It comes with the "good news" - looked forward to 700 years before Christ came, and still longed for today. Not to be missed: in the end,it  is the One preaching the good news, who is the good news. Do you know who he is?  Join us this Sunday as we dive into the joy in our waiting.