How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” -Isaiah 52:7
In Latin, advent means “coming.” The Advent season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas as we prepare for the coming of Jesus into the world. During this time, Christians around the world are excited about sharing the good news of the birth of Jesus.
The book of Isaiah covers prophecies attributed to the prophet Isaiah and is one of the Books of the Prophets.
One can be curious of the opening words of verse 7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news…”
Isaiah was describing the certain return of the Jews to their own land. In a vision he sees the heralds running on the distant hills announcing their return to Jerusalem. A herald bearing good news is a beautiful sight; he says that his feet are beautiful—that is, his running is beautiful. He came to declare that the long and painful captivity was ended, and that the holy city and its temple were again to rise with splendor, and that peace and plenty and joy were to be spread over the land. Such a messenger coming with haste, the prophet says, would be beautiful. God says that the feet of those who bring good news are beautiful. It is a wonderful privilege to be able to share God’s good news with others—His news of redemption, salvation, and peace.”
(Tyndale NLT Life Application Study Bible)
How do we bring good news about the birth of our Lord and Savior? Are we open to sharing the good news, or do we shy away for fear of embarrassment or feeling discomfort in spreading the Word? Someone at some stage in our lives shared the good news with us, thus piquing our curiosity to know more. Shouldn’t we return the favor by being the messenger sharing the good news?
-Dave Nichols
