“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 ploughshares, 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 2:2-5) We begin the season of Advent with a wonderful promise: a promise of judgment!  Wait, what?  Wait, aren’t we heading toward “tis the season…” and “God rest you merry” and “ho, ho, ho?”  How can an impending judgment be a promise of hope?  Well, it all depends upon the one making the promise, doesn’t it?  It all depends upon the one doing the judging.  I cannot speak for you but I do know this about myself: my promises like my judgments are usually only partial and often miss the mark.  They often don’t bring things to a good conclusion and rarely do they settle an argument.  But what if the one doing the promising and the judging is perfectly loving and desirous for the good of all?  What if the Promiser is also the promise fulfilled?  What if the Judge is the one who accepts judgment in our place?  What if the baby born in the manger really is Emmanuel, God with us?  Well then, there really is no point in further judgment leading to ongoing strife; there really is no need for swords or spears.  Watch! The Prince of Peace is coming.  Prepare for the judgment of grace!  Have a great week.