In this final Advent reflection, we look to the prophetic hope of Isaiah 9, recognizing that the birth of Christ marks the beginning of the end for all that is “ugly” and broken in our world. We acknowledge that while we still experience the pain of sickness, war, and loss, we do not live as a defeated people because we know that these things do not have the final word. We understand that the Kingdom of God is a “now but not yet” reality—a work of restoration that has begun in a manger but is not yet complete. Therefore, we choose to intentionally bathe ourselves in beauty and wonder during these holy days, using the joy of the season to push back against darkness and remind ourselves of the ultimate victory and peace that Christ has secured for us.

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Well, good morning! It is good to be with you on this Wednesday morning as we wrap up our daily devotional series.

Today we will have our final reflection from our Advent guide, and then tomorrow—on Christmas Day—I’ll be sharing my sermon from tonight’s service as a special Christmas Rooted devotion. After that, I’ll be taking a few days off through the rest of the year, likely returning on Monday, January 5th to start the new year together.

I hope you enjoy this Christmas season and your time with loved ones. If you are in the Madison area, we would love to have you join us tonight at 6:00 PM for our Christmas Eve communion services.

Today, we are reading one of the most famous and hopeful passages in all of Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7.

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If you know Handel’s Messiah, you know these words well. This is a passage of incredible hope:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined… For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.”

The Promise of Restoration

This passage points us directly to the birth of Christ—the child given to us who redeems, saves, and restores. Isaiah speaks of a time when the yoke of burden is broken and the blood-soaked garments of war are burned as fuel for the fire.

It points to a time when the things that cause us so much pain will be undone. There is a day coming when there will be no more cancer, no more dementia, and no more Alzheimer’s. There will be a time when all the broken things we struggle with are finally done away with and restored.

That time has not fully arrived yet. My hope is always that the Lord returns even before a message like this is published! But until that day, we live in the “in-between.”

Refusing to Live Defeated

Even though we still see war, sickness, and abandonment in our world today, we do not have to live defeated. Because this child has been born for us, we do not have to believe that sickness or death has the final word. They may have moments of apparent victory, but they are not the ultimate victor.

Victory, hope, grace, and peace have the final word.

Paul tells us to think on whatever is lovely, beautiful, and noble. He says this because the “ugly”—the sin and the brokenness—will always try to dominate our thoughts. We have to intentionally bathe ourselves in beauty to push back against it.

Finding Wonder in the Waiting

In these next few days, I want to encourage you: don’t get so caught up in the “to-do” list that you miss the wonder.* Don’t miss the beauty and the laughter of children.

• Don’t miss the moment you sing “Silent Night” in a room full of voices, joined with people you love and strangers you’ve never met.
• As you come to the altar tonight to receive the body and blood of Christ, let it remind you that you are deeply loved.

Wonder and beauty are the remedies for the “ugly” that tries to overwhelm us. One of my professors used to say that the Kingdom of God is a “now but not yet” thing. It is here now, but it is not yet complete.

The cake might not be fully baked, but it’s in the oven. The present might not be opened, but it’s under the tree. Bathe yourself in that wonder today, and be reminded of the glory that is to come.