“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Isaiah 11:11

The roots of the olive tree dig deep into the earth before they turn back to the surface even as the tree above dies. Thus, a new shoot sprouts out of what appears to be a dead stump, bringing forth new life and good fruit for the world. As Christians, we see this root sprouting new life to the line of King David and to the world. This root is Jesus Christ and the branches of his ministry reach out through the world through his Holy Spirit and universal church. It is Hope when all else looks dead. Peace when none is apparent. In the Olive branch and its’ fruit, we can see signs of peace and nourishment for all the nations of the world. The church is the vehicle of this Hope and Peace. The Apostle Paul would refer to the community of Christ, the churches, as the body of Christ. It is a great expectation of hope and peace that God has placed upon Christ’s Church. An expectation that too often goes unfulfilled by the people, the body. But the Hope of God remains, the Peace of the Lord will come, for the promise of God is forever greater than the will of broken humanity.

Isaiah 11:8-9 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Where there is hurt and destruction, the full knowledge of God is lacking. Where politics and partition are practiced, the knowledge of the Lord is missed. Some days, we have this sacred wisdom and live out the Hope and Peace of the Christ child. Too many days we do not, but we always have our excuses. For whatever their worth.

Come Holy Spirit come, strengthen the hearts of your faithful, and make faithful the hearts of your people.

May the Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Pastor Rick