Sunday, December 14, 2025
Isaiah 35:1–10
When Joy Breaks Through
The prophet Isaiah spoke to people who felt tired, worn out, and unsure about what was ahead. Still, he brought them a bold promise: the wilderness will rejoice, the weak will find strength, and sorrow will not have the last word. Isaiah assures us that joy can break through even in the most unlikely places.
I see that promise in our life together as a church. It appears when the building is quietly busy—someone making coffee, another counting money, someone mowing the lawn, or taking out the trash. It’s there in Christmas lights being untangled and hung, and in tables cleared in the Compassion Closet to make space for more generous donations.
Joy also appears in quieter ways. It’s there when we sit with someone who is grieving, in a phone call or text that says, “I was thinking about you,” or in a shared smile, a listening ear, or a simple prayer during an ordinary day.
Isaiah’s vision reminds us that God’s joy isn’t loud or showy. It often grows quietly, through faithfulness, shared work, and people who show up to do what needs to be done so others can find hope. This is holy ground. This is Advent joy taking root.
Prayer:
God of promise and hope, open our eyes to the joy you are already bringing to life among us. Strengthen us where we are weary, and help us trust that you are making all things new, even now. Amen.
a journey in existence 