If I was to play word association with ‘the month of December’ the first words that come to mind for me are: tired, busy, just trying to get to the end, shopping, not enough sleeping.

I wouldn’t say the word ‘exultant’.

Yet that’s the word I use to describe Isaiah 62, which obviously follows straight on from Isaiah 61. In yesterday’s post it was made clear that the previous chapter points to Jesus as the one about whom all this ancient prophecy is pointing towards.

Here’s the conclusion to chapter 62:

The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Saviour comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’” They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.

The chapter is bursting with energy from start to finish, with proclamations and rallying calls to action for the reestablishment of Israel.

Again, as has happened so often in Isaiah, the marital imagery shines through:

…for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married…as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride… and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.

Tired, busy, just trying to get to the end, shopping, not enough sleeping.

If that’s how we feel in December, then Isaiah 62 is a great reminder for us of the exultant nature of Christmas Day.

The Lord has made his proclamation. Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Saviour comes!

Isaiah 62 says, ‘Don’t give up.’ And we shouldn’t, because God has promised restoration:

The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm…

He promised Jesus and Jesus came. We remember this every year on Christmas Day.

You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem…

Tired, busy, just trying to get to the end, shopping, not enough sleeping.

Maybe there’s more of Christmas in that list of fatigue than I first thought.

It’s Christmas. The Promised Saviour is coming. There’s work to be done – but celebrate as you do it

Yours in a lack of sleep haze,

Alison