by Joan Mitchell, CSJ
In the scriptures this Advent the prophet Isaiah yearns for peace. The prophet speaks in a time bloodied like our own by war, a time of lives interrupted like our own by deportations. Assyrian armies have trampled the northern tribes of Israel, forced them off their land, uprooted their olive groves, and resettled their regions with foreign tribes that worship other gods.
Isaiah cannot believe their faithful God will leave Israel in despair and defeat. Although they walk in darkness, Isaiah trusts God will one day shine a great light. A child will be born whose name will be—
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace (9.6).
Perhaps because Isaiah would find our daily headlines familiar, we find his visions of peace still compelling. Isaiah envisions nations learning God’s law and then studying war no more.
They will beat their swords
into plowshares,
and their spears
into pruning hooks (2.4).
In the midst of war Isaiah imagines the dead stump of the royal family tree sprouting a leader filled with wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, reverence, and awe in God’s presence. In the midst of war Isaiah envisions a peaceable kin*dom where the wolf lives with the lamb, the leopard with the kid, and a child can play near a snake (11.1-9).
When young king Ahaz makes an alliance with Assyria and its gods rather than trust Israel’s God, Isaiah insists—
A young woman will bear a son
and shall name him Emmanuel (7.14).
Advent is a season for imagining peace is possible. In finding gifts that delight and express our love, we experience the warm circle of belonging most families want for themselves. Our global world challenges us to widen our family circles. Our work to build peace rekindles the promise the Christ child brings to the world, promise that lives in each of us.
Envision peace. What does peace look and feel like? Color and reflect on the word shalom, peace, in Hebrew below.
