Two years ago I learned how to study the Bible.

I mean, I really learned. I had decided that I would teach myself how to be a student of the Bible rather than a student of devotionals, even though I felt that devotionals and guided studies (thanks Beth) had propelled me into a deeper understanding of Christ, I wanted to trust that the Word was inspiring enough that I didn’t need someone to tell me how to interpret it.

So I bought myself some colored pencils and a handy spiral notebook and sat my desk alone in my apartment with a small book about how to do inductive Bible study. A year later, I finished the book of Acts. I’m not sure it’s supposed to take an entire year, but the intensity of my study time waxed and waned while I wandered through that year deciding what I would do with my life. Turns out, I decided to get married.

My experience with the book of Acts was so profound that it’s almost too difficult to articulate. Sure, Acts is a history book so the interpretation part came easy, but I was getting it. I was getting it without anyone telling me what to get. I actually remember hurrying home so that I could study. I’m not saying that to sound impressive, I’m saying that because no one is more surprised about my behavior than me.

When I was finished with Acts, I felt sad the way you are when your favorite TV series comes to an end. I messed around for a while not studying anything in particular, until I decided to tackle another book that had intrigued me since I finished the Breaking Free study by Beth Moore. (If you haven’t done this study, do it. That’s it. Stop messing around and do it.) Isaiah. Yikes.

Lately I’d have to be honest and say I’ve been in the midst of a waning period in Isaiah, but in the preparation for Christmas I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the significance and power behind what Isaiah was saying to the nation of Israel.

"Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:13

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD…" - Isaiah 11: 1-2

"In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious." - Isaiah 11: 10

I find myself wondering what they thought of Isaiah’s words, wondering if I would have gotten it if I’d been alive at that time. Here is Isaiah spelling out for them that the Savior they’ve been waiting for is not coming on the tails of much pomp and circumstance, but coming as a baby to a virgin woman from the line of David. Were they listening?

Later in my favorite passage of Isaiah, chapter 61, it talks about the aim of Christ’s mission on earth: restoration and the return of us to Him.

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…they will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations." (61: 2; 4)

I love the references to ruined cities and devastation. I love that Christ promises to restore, rebuild, break-free, proclaim, release. So many active verbs going on, it’s overwhelming. I think what I’m trying to share is that so much of Isaiah is about what we celebrate when we sing songs like O Come, O Come Emmanuel. We’re singing the anticipatory words of the nation of Israel as they waited for their Savior. Their Savior who came as a baby, but reigns as the Rebuilder and Restorer. Their Savior who will stop at nothing to bring His people back to Him, to get their attention, and claim the praise that is so deservedly His.

I’m praying that we’ll not just remember the story, but that we’ll live in the midst of it. It’s happening right now.

O come, O come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.