The Hope of Peace

There are great dangers for our understanding when texts become too familiar. Once again we have entered the season of Advent, anticipating the birth of Jesus, hoping that this time the vast promises of peace may be fulfilled. As always, we look to Isaiah 11 for timeless metaphors with which we may again long for a day that seems unimaginably and terribly delayed. Classic treasures of art and music have fixed these metaphors in our mind and hearts, paintings to stir the eye and oratorios to tickle the ear. We gaze and listen with eagerness at wolves and lions, bears and sheep passively feeding together, being led by a tiny child who we know as the infant messiah. It is a portrait worthy of a greeting card -- and often is! "Have the most blessed of Christmases," we read, our eyes moist with sentiment and with disappointment.