How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! Isaiah 52:7
“The Lord returns to Zion as the reigning king. The herald, who comes from afar, and the watchmen, who stand on the walls of Jerusalem, announce to one another the coming redemption that each will experience personally…the practice of sending a fleet-footed runner to deliver messages of salvation and victory is also found in 2 Samuel 18:19 “Ahimaaz son of Zadok said: ‘Let me run and report to the king that the Lord has vindicated him against his enemies.'” The first to see the runner is the watchman standing on the battlements: “The watchman on the roof of the gate walked over to the city wall. He looked and saw a man running alone” (2 Samuel 18:24).”
Shalom M. Paul in Isaiah 40-66: Translation and Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012) 390.
Today is Christmas Eve.
Later, we will go to church and sing our favorite christmas carols. “O Holy Night” is tops on my list. Then we will pick up a pizza (so we don’t have to cook dinner) and head home to watch It’s a Wonderful Life together.
My favorite scene in the movie is an obscure shot of George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) in his father’s office where the framed quote on the wall reads: “All you can take with you is that which you have given away.” Great generosity quote!
Why am I sharing all this?
These traditions have shaped my life and my family. They solidify our role, that is, why we are on this round ball called earth. We are messengers of the good news of our Lord Jesus. Sharing this good news is our greatest act of generosity.
Let us resolve to be fleet-footed runners so that all may experience personally the coming redemption.