For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

As I look around my living room, my house is decked out with festive Christmas decorations: A tree, nativity scene, garland, and beautiful lights. The music and movies create a sense of excitement and anticipation in me.  However, I was thinking about how the Israelites might have felt differently around the time they received this prophetic message from Isaiah. They weren’t gathered around Christmas trees or sipping hot chocolate. There wasn’t a happy Christmas spirit at that time because Jesus hadn’t even been born yet. Actually, Isaiah said that the people were walking in darkness.

As I glanced around the same room, I noticed my neglected plant. Its soil was drying up and its leaves were drooping downward like a wet mop. This stood in contrast to the beautiful Christmas tree nearby. 

It made me wonder if this plant was a depiction of what the Israelites experienced at that time. Israel had been fractured in two and the people had to deal with the consequences of serving a string of ungodly kings. Also, during that time, God was pouring out His prophecy of judgment on the rebellious people of Israel, longing for them to return to Him. Like the lack of water causing my plant to look hopeless, I imagine the Israelites were feeling pretty hopeless too.

While focused on my poor plant, I felt compassion for it. I knew it needed help and couldn’t revive on its own. Similarly, God also looked at His chosen nation with compassion. God didn’t want to leave them without hope in the middle of political and social turmoil. 

Because I cared about my plant, I decided to water it generously. I let the water soak deep into the soil down to the roots of the plant. Within a short time, the plant began to revive and stand up straight again. I imagine that the Israelites had a similar reaction when God sent Isaiah to deliver a message of hope to the people. It was as if a light had appeared in the darkness and they were saturated with the hope of a Savior, A Wonderful Counselor, A Mighty God, An Everlasting Father, A Prince of Peace. 

Although God didn’t change their circumstance right away, the hope revived them and gave them strength. God’s words of promise, redemption, and comfort were like water to a thirsty soul.

If you want to find hope this Christmas, you won’t find it in the “stuff” of Christmas.  You will only find it in the promises of God. Are there aspects of your life that are like my droopy plant, desperately in need of hope-bringing water? Jesus is standing at the ready, with life-renewing water. Could revived hope be his gift to you this Christmas?