In Isaiah's vision, the nations which will climb the Lord's mountain will do so with a purpose: "that he may instruct us in his ways and we may walk in his paths". Purpose implies a hope of accomplishment. The first part of the nations' purpose is guaranteed: "that he may instruct us in his ways". At our creation, God did not leave us to find our way through life in the darkness. Life was not to be a journey without guidance. The voice of conscience, God's voice, teaches us to discern between good and evil, life and death. The second part of the nations' purpose is another matter: that "we may walk in his ways". In spite of the light of God's instruction, we may refuse to walk in His ways.

"They shall beat their swords into ploughshares..." The world's manifold tragedies remind us each day that these visionary words of Isaiah are still so far from realization. Yet, as Christians, we begin the season of Advent reaffirming the hope of the nations and the vision of Isaiah. We do so, believing that the pathways we must walk are the pathways of God's justice and God's peace, revealed to us in Jesus of Nazareth.