--Isaiah 40:4
We are about half way through the Advent season, the four-Sunday period which the more liturgical churches set aside as preparation for Christmas. Many readings during Advent are drawn from the Book of Isaiah, its language made familiar to many of us from our hearing or singing of Handel's Messiah. Advent readings recapitulate Israel's longing, throughout its centuries of tribulations, for the coming of a savior who would not only leave Israel triumphant over its enemies, but would establish a reign of peace and justice among Israel's people.
This year, we are observing two Advents -- the Christian Advent, and the Advent of the Trump presidency. We look forward with joy to December 25. We look forward with fear and trepidation to January 20.
Isaiah promises that every mountain shall be made low and every valley shall be exalted. Trump's appointments to his cabinet, on the other hand, have -- one after another -- been the very representatives of great wealth and income inequity against which his campaign railed. Isaiah pledges that the crooked shall be made straight. Trump appears determined to add the United States of America as one more income-generating asset to his portfolio.
Isaiah says the rough ways will be made plain. But we remember the Trump of the election campaign.
It's the Christmas season. I don't want to spoil the mood by further impeaching a president who hasn't yet assumed office. But Isaiah himself was never a soothing prophet. Only a few of his words were about the lion lying down with the lamb. He had little interest in comforting the comfortable, or in letting the people of Israel go about their daily lives in peace.
Once we get past Christmas, we need to begin seriously worrying about our second Advent. This nation will be confronting major problems -- not just unwise policies but an incompetent, ignorant, and dangerous leader -- over the next four years.
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