This week, we continue our Advent series as we celebrate the first arrival of Jesus and anticipate His coming second arrival. In our world, we are offered temporary peace and manufactured happiness that is easily disrupted by other circumstances. It's only when we recognize this bleak reality that we search for a true and lasting promise of peace. Our hope is in Jesus' redemption of the world and the exaltation of His Kingdom. Although we still live in the tension of awaiting Jesus' arrival, we can place our trust and find comfort in Him.

This week, we begin our Advent series as we celebrate the first arrival of Jesus and anticipate His coming second arrival. This week, we look at how God brings beauty from ashes. He displays judgement on the injustice to humble the wicked. It is out of this destruction that Isaiah prophesies the coming of Jesus, who would shoot up like a seedling from a stump. Unlike other rulers known for war, intimidation, and fear, Jesus establishes peace and love. He brings ultimate justice and restoration and completes God's promise of hope.