The Sixteenth Day of Advent
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. Isaiah 65:18 – 19 NIV
“ . . glad . . . rejoice . . . delight . . . joy” Soaring, grand, beautiful words from the mouth of Jehovah, the God of the universe. The one from whom all of our joys flow. The one who sees the sorrow of his people and announces “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10) when his Son makes his entrance into the world as a baby. But wait . . . He also is the one who takes delight in his own people – you and me! He sees our feeble steps; he knows the grief we bear; he understands our struggle with sinful habits – and yet he takes delight in us. In my imagination he smiles . . he chuckles . . . he even laughs with joy. It’s a relationship of mutual joy and delight. The God of the universe is rejoicing in you today. Rejoice in him!
Jean Nystrand
