No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”
or your land “Desolate,”
We all experience desolation at times. But God promises that there is an end to it. And it is significant, something which all people notice. They know that we can no longer be called forsaken and desolate.
but you shall be called “My Delight,”
and your land “Espoused.”
This isn't wishful thinking. God's love becomes visible in us such that even the people around us can tell. His blessings are so evident- can only be so evident because he himself is so close. He himself draws so near to us that his blessings cannot be hidden.
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
Indeed he crosses a threshold never previously crossed. He unites human nature to his ow divine nature irrevocably.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.
So although we are not worthy to unfasten his sandals yet does he come to us to wash our feet. He bridges this unbridgeable gap between divinity and humanity in his own person because he does not grasp equality with God. He truly becomes God with us by marrying humanity and divinity in one eternal man.
This is a reality which we are not meant to simply behold. We are meant to participate. He wants to dwell in our hearts so much that those around us can tell that we are his delight.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
Let us welcome Jesus as he comes. He comes not only be born in Bethlehem but especially to be born into our hearts. Let us shout with joy as he unites our frail human nature with his eternal divinity. May this baptism of the Spirit be so obvious that the whole world gives thanks and sings his praise.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
Our God desires to save us, not by restoring us to what we were, but by raising us to share in his own life. We are not simply restored to Eden. In Jesus he gates of heaven re finally open.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
Let us listen to the wisdom of St. John Chrysostom:
These good tidings were of God on earth, man in Heaven; and all became mingled together, angels joined the choirs of men, men had fellowship with the angels, and with the other powers above.
And one might see the long war brought to an end, and reconciliation made between God and our nature, the devil brought to shame, demons in flight, death destroyed, Paradise opened, the curse blotted out, sin put out of the way.
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