Advent Week Two. The Prince of Peace

Advent’ Week Two:  The Prince of Peace!

During the time of the prophet Isaiah when the collapse of the Northern Kingdom was imminent he was called upon to reconcile the nations but was reluctant saying;  “Woe is me, I am doomed!  For I am a man of unclean lips;  yet my eyes have seen the King, the “Lord of hosts!”  Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar.  He touched my mouth with it.  See, he said, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send?  Who will go for us? “ Here I am, I said;  Send me!” (Is. 6: 5 - 9).

Here the Lord sent Isaiah the greatest of the prophets to bring justice and forgiveness to Israel at a time when the sin of the people had reached God and the nation was about to collapse.  Were it not for Isaiah a just but simple man of faith the kingdoms that were at war with one another might have completely collapsed.  

During this second week of Advent we need to understand how God constantly chose men of his liking with an enduring belief in following the plan God had long before prepared regarding his plan to send his only Son to redeem us.

“Your new moons and festivals I detest;  they weigh me down, I tire of the load.  When you spread out your hands, I close my eyes to you;  Though you pray the more, I will not listen.  Your hands are full of blood!  Wash yourselves clean!  Put away your misdeeds before my eyes;  cease doing evil; learn to do good.  Make justice your aim; redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.”  (Is 1: 14 - 17).  Part of Israel’s sinfulness before the Lord.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;  Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown”  (Is. 9: 1).  Cf with Jn 1: 4 - 5.  “For a child is born to us, a son is given us;  upon his shoulder dominion rests.  They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.  His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”  (Is. 9: 5 - 6).

As the reign of Christ that is coming soon, Isaiah predicts the many names we call the Son of God and the very triumphs he becomes as the time spoken of from the Prologue to John’s Gospel opens our glimpse of his mission through his passion.  

Ralph B. Hathaway