New Spirit’s Annual Christmas Cantata.

Isaiah uses the image of watchmen who “see the advent of the Lord in Zion” and goes on to say that “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” The Isaiah passage also contains the image, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings go

The Immanuel image. In Old Testament days, King Ahaz is given the sign of Immanuel (a child born with that name) to draw him to faith instead of fear. Centuries later, in a far greater way, God gives humanity the sign of Immanuel in Jesus, to bring us out of fear into faith.

We look to Christ for hope.

Isaiah speaks of the salvation that God will bring through the Messiah, and urges us to “give thanks.”

What seems dead and dried up can be revived. The Valley of Dry Bones image is a powerful image of resurrection, speaking not only of resurrection to life eternal but of a spiritual revival in the here and now.