Just a Little Longer...

First Reading

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

ISAIAH 2:1-5

Response to Isaiah Script (The Rev. Dr. Maryann Amor)

We just heard from the prophet Isaiah—a prophet who spoke directly to people who had no reason to dream. A prophet who spoke to people who had experienced significant loss: loss of their homes, their lives, their livelihoods.

And the prophet tells them, I understand that you have every reason to give up and give in. I mean, just look around you—look at the devastation. I understand. But you have to hold on just a little longer. You have to wait.

Because there is a time coming when things will be better. A time when those who have experienced loss, who feel like they are on the outside, who have been the victims of injustice, will see their lives transformed into something new and wonderful.

And today, Isaiah speaks directly to us—in our own moments of brokenness, despair, and hardship. Isaiah says to us: Hold on just a little longer. Because something will happen. Something is going to change all of this.

And that is the point of Advent. We are being reminded that this season is not about the hype all around us: the glitter, the sparkles, the lights, the gifts. Instead, it is about recommitting ourselves to be people who wait. People who, no matter how difficult life gets, choose to hold on just a little longer. Trusting that something is coming—surely coming—that will transform the world.

And little do we know, it will come in the most unexpected of ways: a child—vulnerable, tiny, crying—who will change our world forever.

So this Advent, hold on to Isaiah’s words to us today: I know you are discouraged. I know it is tempting to give up and give in. But something is coming—something that will transform everything. Just hold on a little while longer.

Amen.

The Isaiah Script read in the sermon video is taken from Illustrated Ministry's 2025 Advent Liturgy: https://www.illustratedministry.com/thewilltodream