Peace has been proclaimed? Look out my window, and there's a world ravaged by violence and hatred. Look at my mirror, and there's a soul beset by anxiety and fears. Peace has been proclaimed, really?? Look to the mountains of Isaiah 52 and see beautiful feet carrying a beautiful messenger bearing beautiful news—"Your God reigns!" Look to first-century Galilee and see a young carpenter turned rabbi proclaiming "The reign of God has come near ... believe the good news” (Mk 1:15). I want to believe, really I do, but ... my window, my mirror . . . .
Look again to Isaiah's mountains to see those beautiful feet bringing good news. Are those the same feet that walked the dusty roads of Galilee? The same ones that were nailed to a Roman cross just outside Jerusalem? If so, then that would mean that the Lord has come to Zion just as he promised (v.8)! And we have seen it with our own eyes (1 Cor 15:1-8)!! But ... what about my window, my mirror?
And so we long and wait for his return, when the reign he inaugurated at his first advent shall be fully revealed. At that time we shall shake off our dust and burst into song like never before! But he has come. He is Immanuel. And he has brought us peace.
"Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born."
