Editor's note: "Unmasking Advent: the arrival of a Savior in our lives" is a sampling of biblical meditations composed by members of the Concordia University Wisconsin community. It is our prayer that you will take time during the Advent season to read and reflect upon God's Word and await the coming of Jesus with newfound anticipation and zeal through the Holy Spirit.
December 16 – A heavenly holiday at home
Isaiah 32:1-20 and Revelation 4:1-11
Have you ever felt so tired, worried, or stressed that you just wanted to go home, curl up with a warm cup of tea and a blanket, or be with your family and feel safe? A few years ago, in an apartment in Alcala, Spain, I was in the last month of my semester abroad, feeling homesick and facing final exams and papers. The friend who was supposed to go with me that semester cancelled just before our departure, so it was just me and my host family. If you have spent Christmas away from home, it can be very lonely. You have all the usual things, like decorated trees, ornaments, worship services, but it’s just not quite right. There’s a certain comfort that only comes from being home.
Both passages for today remind us of our coming home to heaven and the peace we will have there with our Savior. Isaiah 32 describes what that day will be like: And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in safety, quietly at home. They will be at rest (verses 17-18). Even though we may feel far from our heavenly home right now, we have the Holy Spirit with us all the time.
While the Isaiah text may not describe what what our present world looks like, we savor the hope of heaven and the gifts of peace and security that a relationship with God brings. When we are overwhelmed, we can rest in His strength and know that He meets us wherever we are. I often remind myself of the saying, “Don’t tell God how big your problem is. Tell your problem how big God is.” Today’s passage from Revelation is a vivid reminder of just how big God is, in all His majestic glory. Like going home to our family, we look forward to going home to be with God, the Creator of all peace, joy, and comfort.
MAGGIE LEIMKUEHLER is part of the International Education team at Concordia University Wisconsin. She has served at Concordia since 2019.
View a full schedule of “An uncommon Advent” readings here.
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