Our exile is over. Alleluia!
Christmas vividly reminds of the celebration that begins our journey home
By Steve Hall
It doesn’t take great imagination to hear the joy, the enthusiasm, the wonder of Isaiah in this turn of events. Many did return. But . . . But not all.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-11
Matthew 18:12-14
This is a beautiful passage from Isaiah. It addresses the long-awaited hope of the Jewish exiles in Babylon that they will at last be returning to their homeland and the city of Jerusalem. The tone is such that we might assume it was written, said, or shouted in response to the new King Cyrus’ decision that these exiles could, indeed, return.
It doesn’t take great imagination to hear the joy, the enthusiasm, the wonder of Isaiah in this turn of events. Indeed, his words can be overwhelming even for the reader today.
Listen! LISTEN! Hear the good news!
The Lord has cleared a path. Alleluia!
Our hope has been realized. Alleluia!
WE’re going home. Alleluia!
We’re going home.
Many did return. They went back to Israel and Jerusalem. In time, they would rebuild the temple. They were going home.
But . . . But not all. Some chose to stay, to live their lives in the land of exile.
There is no surprise that many made the long and arduous journey. But what about the others, the ones who chose to stay? I wonder if they had lost that inner hunger for home.
Home is that place we all long for, even if it is not the place of our youth. I’ll be home.
I’ll be home. I’ll be home for Christmas . . . If only in my dreams. Because at Christmas we are so vividly reminded of the celebration that begins our journey home.