These chapters are good to read at Christmas, containing some of the key prophecies about Jesus, the suffering servant who came to wash our feet and wash our sins by dying for us, thus putting us right with God when we believe in him and are baptised.

“My devoted servant, with whom I am pleased, will bear the punishment of many and for his sake I will forgive them.” Isaiah 53v11.

The chapters also promise big things for Jerusalem:

“Your people will rebuild what has long been in ruins, building again on the old foundations. You will be known as the people who rebuilt the walls.”

We are given instructions on how to live in order to please God: “Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor.”

My faith is that the first part of the prophesy has come true. There is much argument about whether the the prophecy about Jerusalem referred to those days, or days to come. I hope they are for days to come, and not too far away:

“”The finest wood from the forests of Lebanon will be brought to rebuild you, Jerusalem.

“You will be like a beautiful crown for the Lord. No longer will you be called ‘Forsaken’. .. Your new name will be ‘God is pleased with her’ and your land will be called “happily married.’

We are told to remind God of this promise: “Remind the Lord of His promises and never let Him forget them. They must give Him no rest until He restores Jerusalem.”

Dear Father, I know that You have gloriously fulfilled the promise of sending Your suffering servant to save us from our sins. Please now listen to our cries and come to rebuild Your perfect Jerusalem. Come back, for the sake of those who serve You, for the sake of the people who have always been Yours. In the meantime, my magnificent Father, thank You for caring for me and my family. Please make this a beautiful Christmas which shows and reflects Your glory. And until the day You do come back, please give us oil in our lamps….. In the name of the light of Christmas, the light of the world, Your son Jesus Christ, Amen