A Prayer about the Most Holy Paradox
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion —
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. (Isa. 61:1–3)
Jesus, I’m marinating this morning in the holy paradox of the weakness of your birth and the magnitude of your calling. Who could’ve ever imagined that a baby whose birthing room was a stable would be the means by which God will ultimately stabilize and transform everything awry in the universe?
Who had any way of knowing that the child who nursed from a very young mother’s breast was actually the Ancient of Days— the one who brings the nourishment of salvation, redemption, and restoration to God’s pan national people and much beloved creation?
Who recognized that the cute, cuddly spirit of this infant was actually the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord by which one day all oppression will be stopped, all chains will be broken, all injustice will give way to justice, mourning will be replaced with gladness, broken hearts will become healed hearts, despairing hearts will become praising hearts, and the disfavored will become the favored of the Lord? Who possibly could’ve seen, known, and believed such a thing?
We praise you, Lord Jesus, for displaying your splendor most clearly in the gospel of your kingdom and of God’s grace. May your splendor be more fully revealed in us and through us, until the day you return to finish making all things new. May we who have been declared righteous by faith in you live as a people who love your mercy, advocate for your justice, and walk humbly with you, our God. I pray in your most glorious name.
Amen.