Wednesday, December 5, 2018
by Susan Tribble
Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Today is a beautiful day. The sun shines through the fall leaves and I am at peace. I am thankful for the
beauty of the lake with geese bobbing for food, turtles sunning, and birds singing joyfully. Thank you,
God, for this beautiful Earth and this moment when I feel its beauty. Every day blesses me but I
sometimes struggle to feel the blessing in this world of stressful politics, pettiness, anger and mass
murder. Sometimes situations seem hopeless and I despair. Why do we ignore climate change, choose
not to control guns, do little about hunger and poverty and refuse to talk with those who disagree with
us. The results of the midterm elections prove change is possible when we work for it. You are always
with us and love us so much that you sent your only begotten son, Jesus, to live among us and be
crucified on the cross so we sinners have the opportunity to live eternally in Heaven when our human
lives end. Jesus is indeed “Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of
Peace”. His birth gave the enslaved Israelites freedom from their despair. The problems of the current
world have solutions if we choose to work for them. We have the ingenuity to solve even issues we
perceive as insoluble. We are free to fight for what is best for our country and the Earth. God, you and
Jesus are always with us in good times and bad. I am the one who gets so wrapped up in the realities of
being human that I don’t let you help. I forget you love us and are always available to help especially
when I am at my lowest.