"Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God. "Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins." A voice is calling, "Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. "Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Isaiah 40.1-5

As I write this, our nation has once more survived an ugly round of hatred and recrimination that we call a Presidential election. The acrimony of the most recent political cycle seems to be a reflection of our society in general. Instead of looking for someone to love, many in our nation seem to be on the lookout for someone to hate. We have become a nation at war with ourselves. All the more reason, that we as genuine believers should hold out a beacon of hope and love as we seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

In the above passage, Isaiah writes of a time when the people of Israel are in a position of final rest and final peace. There will be no more war. There will be no more persecution. Their sins will be washed away. Even the very landscape will no longer harbor difficulty for them. Peace. Real peace.
Isn't that what so many of us look forward to? As we enjoy our season of Advent, let's look forward to that day when we will all experience the true peace of Jesus' return. Until that day, let us grab on to little bits of peace, even amidst the hubbub of holiday activity. As we go about our business, do not be afraid to hold out love and grace and peace to those around us. We all want peace. May the peace of Christ that surpasses all of our understanding rule and reign in our hearts.

Weekly Memory Verse: The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 27.1