Throughout the season of Advent, we’ll have a weekday reflection based on suggested scriptures from a great resource entitled The Common Rule. You can find a calendar of the daily readings here.

Today, the prophet asks us a question. Why are you spending money on that which is not bread and laboring for that which does not satisfy?  We are busy, we are thirsty. But we are not thirsty for one more activity.  We are not thirsty for one more thing to do. We are not thirsty for all the things that we have on our schedule. We are thirsty for the living waters of Jesus. Today, with all the season demands of us, let’s make sure that we are truly living for the right thing this Christmas. Let’s keep our eyes, and our lives focused on Jesus today and each day. 

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You can read today’s passage, Isaiah 55: 1-5, here.

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Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be with you on this Thursday morning as we continue our Advent journey, exploring different scriptures that speak to us about what we can learn during this special season. Advent is a time of preparation, focusing on both the celebration of the birth of our Lord and the anticipation of His imminent return. It’s crucial not to separate the joy of His first coming from the joy of His second coming; both are integral to our journey as disciples of Christ.

Today, we’ll be reading a suggested passage from Isaiah 55:1-5, as recommended by the Common Rule, a great online resource that provides daily readings for Advent. Let’s dive into Isaiah 55 together:

“Oh, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come buy and eat; come buy wine and milk without money and without a price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear and come to me. Listen so that you may live, and I will make you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to peoples, a leader and a commander of the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.”

In this passage, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the everlasting covenant God made with David, a covenant ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the eternal descendant seated upon David’s throne. The promise extends to nations unknown at the time, illustrating the timeless impact of this covenant.

The message begins with a powerful invitation: “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.” It’s a call to those seeking fulfillment, satisfaction, and life. The passage questions why people spend resources on things that do not truly satisfy. This resonates strongly with the busyness and consumerism often associated with the Christmas season.

The emphasis here is on coming to the living waters and finding satisfaction in God. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, the passage encourages us to evaluate where we invest our time, money, and effort. Are we spending our resources on things that do not truly satisfy our souls? Are we neglecting the thirst for the deep waters of Jesus Christ?

The season of Advent calls us to pause and reevaluate our priorities. While the activities and festivities are enjoyable, they should not overshadow the true reason for the season – the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. The invitation is clear: “Come to the waters. Eat. Drink. Find life.”

As you navigate the remaining days before Christmas, consider these words. Don’t let the business of the season overshadow the profound truth it represents. Take time to come to the waters, to rest in the presence of the Lord, and to find satisfaction in the deep waters of Jesus Christ.

May your day be filled with moments of true fulfillment and joy as you center yourself in the meaning of this season. Thank you for joining us on this Advent journey, and I look forward to being with you again tomorrow. Have a blessed day!