This passage of scripture also deals with hope. We hear of the coming of a king who will be an ancestor of King David. Jesse was David's father. The prophet says, "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots" (Isa. 11:1 NRSV). There is a promise that this king will bring peace, but not just peace but peace with justice.

Not only will this king bring about peace among the nations of the world but also peace and tranquility in the natural world. We hear about a world that is similar to the original created order spoke of in Genesis. Isaiah says, "The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them" (Isa. 11:6 NRSV).

The theme of peace with justice (especially for the "poor" and "meek") is central to this text. During the rule of the Romans there was a phrase, Pax Romana or Roman peace. This peace was brought about through the might of the Roman army and had little to do with justice. The peace of God has everything to do with justice. Reinhold Neibuhr once said "If you want peace, work for justice." We must all remember to work for justice (especially for the "poor" and "meek").

Prepare the Way (Matt. 3:1–12)

In this passage from Matthew's gospel we hear John the Baptist speaking of the coming of the Messiah (the anointed one). He also refers to words of the prophet Isaiah. He says, "This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, 'The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight."'" (Matt. 3:3 NRSV). The promise of a king who will rule with justice that we heard in our Hebrew scripture lesson this week is continued in this gospel lesson.

John also calls for the people to "repent". The word repent means to turn around. He is saying that if we have turned away from the path that God set before us we need to get back on track. It is easy these days to get off track. In this time of Advent we need to focus on where God wants us to go. The real preparation for the Christmas season is in our hearts.