Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Advent

One of my great uncles served in the U. S. Navy during World War II, as a member of the signal corps. Essentially, the signal corps used a series of variously colored and inscribed flags and pennants to communicate between ships when radio silence was being observed. The sequence of the banners was of critical importance;  one flag out of place could entirely change the commands being conveyed to the other ships in the task force. I was absolutely fascinated by the various colors, sizes and shapes of these signal banners, and my uncle happily provided me with plenty of stories about his time aboard the "flag ship" in the Pacific.

In today's lesson, Isaiah of Jerusalem continues his description of "the shoot from the stump of Jesse" we read about yesterday (11:1-9). In the latter half of the chapter, Isaiah notes that this "root" will "stand as a signal to the people" (11:10) This incarnated signal from God will herald the advent of a new era for the Covenant People. 

The remnant that had been scattered will be gathered and reconstituted. The animosity that had previously existed between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah will evaporate in the dawn of the restoration of the people of God. All of the former enemies of the Covenant People will find themselves "inquiring" of this signal to God's unending faithfulness (11:10b). Isaiah sees that the root's "dwelling will be glorious" (11:10c) -- a sign that the restored kingdom will once again enjoy a place of political prominence in the region. 

For Isaiah of Jerusalem, this restoration is not so much about vindication of the remnant's faith as it is a vindication of God's faithfulness to the remnant. The "signal" is a witness to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at work in history. The "signal" will telegraph to "the nations" of the known world that this God keeps covenant -- that this God is a God to be reckoned with.

In a few short hours, this season of Advent will draw to a close. Nearly 2800 years after Isaiah of Jerusalem penned his tribute to the "shoot from the stump of Jesse", we, who are people of a New Covenant, will gather, not around a throne, but around a manger. We will sing, not of a glorious dwelling but of a holy night. We will celebrate that the God of Isaiah does indeed keep covenant -- with the People Called into Covenant and the People Called through Baptism.  In the darkness of winter's night we will ponder anew the brightness of the unmistakable Signal of God's presence among us -- Emmanuel, Son of Mary, Son of God.