Making All Things New
Second Sunday in Advent
December 7, 2025 8:00 am
Meditation
“Lions and tigers and bears…oh my!” Familiar words that make sense when we’re looking into an uncertain future. Danger lurks in the shadows of our minds when in reality we are most afraid of the things that we don’t fully understand. Some of our fears fade away as we step into our present reality, while unforeseen events pose new questions for us to contemplate and consider.
When Isaiah the prophet looks into the future to come he doesn’t see danger but instead shares a vision of restored peace that will exist within the eternity of heaven. Predators like “lions and tigers and bears” don’t devour their prey but instead will live together with them in harmony. “Wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat…and a little child will lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)
What once looks dead is given new life, much like a new branch growing out of an old stump. When John, the last of the Old Testament prophets, came baptising in the desert with a message of repentance, it appears that death is imminent. “Repent for the kingdom of God is near!” (Matthew 3:2) But out of the waters of baptism comes new life in Christ. We no longer need to fear death because we now live in the newness of Life eternal. True and lasting Peace is ours through Christ our Lord.
Prayer
Lord God, You are Peace. Though we live in a world where sin and death surround us, we need not fear. You call us out of the darkness into Your marvelous light. Give us a heart of repentance so that our lives become forever changed by the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. We look forward to the world You’ve promised where there will be no more sorrow and no more pain. May Your peace be ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen