One of my new favorite songs of the season is “A Light” by the Brilliance. The chorus goes like this, “Peace to all this night. A hope and light shine bright.”

As we enter into this season of Advent that leads us to Christmas, we are seeking to find peace.  Peace in our personal lives.  Peace in our communal lives.  We lament that which seeks to tear us apart in this day and age. Many of us may be worried about Christmas gatherings that include family and friends who think and believe differently than we do.

Isaiah is writing during a fractured time in Israel’s history. The prophet seems to be writing encouragement towards a future time, but is actually calling on the people to look in the proverbial mirror now. God’s peace and justice are not for a far off time, but for a time such as this.

As we enter into the season of Advent, perhaps it is time for us to closely examine our own lives.  Are we the type of people who radiate a light that draws people towards God and God’s ways?  Madeline L’Engle offers this for us; “We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.”

Isaiah had deep trust in the people of his time and that trust remains today.  We are not only called, but equipped to walk in the light of the Lord. It is simply who God has created us to be.  During this Advent season, may we each fully embrace this reality.