Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
~Isaiah 35:5-6
When I was younger I never thought much about the wreath filled with candles we light each week during Advent. I always preferred the Advent calendars with the chocolates (and would occasionally cheat and open a few days ahead of time so that I could get more candy).
But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve enjoyed the lighting of the Advent wreath more and more. The first week symbolizes hope, the second week peace, and this coming week, the third week, symbolizes joy.
The reading from Isaiah this week is a message of hope and joy for the people of Israel, that Zion will be redeemed. There are promises in these prophetic words that brokenness will be healed, loss will be returned, and that joy will flourish in once speechless singing.
I think that’s may be my favorite part of these verses from Isaiah in 35:6, “the tongue of the speechless sing for joy”. That not only is there healing, not only is there redemption, but that in that healing there is a joy that was otherwise unreachable.
As we look towards Christmas, as we think about the coming of Jesus, I hope that I might sing for joy that in Christ God’s Kingdom comes near, and that this redemption Isaiah prophesied becomes possible.
What are things that bring you joy? How has healing in your life – both physical or emotional – brought you joy?
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