In Home Worship – Sunday, November 30, 2025 – First Sunday of Advent

Image credit: Kelly Latimore, Christ in the Rubble Digital Icon.

1. Advent, Prince of Peace, Isaiah 2:1-5

When Isaiah wrote this, in the 8th century before our time, his world was politically unstable and violent. The Assyrian Empire was conquering neighboring lands. It was a big threat to the Northern kingdom of Israel and the Southern kingdom of Judah, where Isaiah lived. Most of Isaiah’s prophecies describe a world of injustice, war, and spiritual decline. He warns the people to turn away from the path of arrogance, idolatry, violence, and greed and towards the path of the Lord, which is a path of justice and peace, but seemingly to no avail.

We live in politically unstable and violent times similar to Isaiah. When the world seems to be turned on its head, when vices are proclaimed to be virtues, and lies replace truths, we need to set the world straight again. And that starts with our dreams and visions. Isaiah reminds us that “the haughtiness of people shall be humbled, and the pride of everyone shall be brought low,” (Isaiah 2:17a.) He assures us that a child will lead us: “With righteousness he shall judge for the poor and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth” (Isaiah 11:4.) And Isaiah knows that every valid vision needs to include all of creation, not just the human variety: “The wolf shall live with the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6a) and “the desert shall rejoice and blossom” (Isaiah 35:1b.).

How can we work towards peace in a violent world? Find out this Sunday at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 745 Front St. S, in Issaquah and on YouTube.

– Pr. Kristin-Luana