Today's lesson is preceded by a passage which describes Judah, destroyed by invading Assyrians, as a forest cut down and burned. A stump remains among the ruins; it is symbolic of Jesse, the father of David from whom Judean kings were descended. The image of the shoot coming from the stump indicates that the dynasty will not die out. It is a hopeful picture, for the prophet says that "from his roots a bud shall blossom."

Isaiah probably wrote of some ideal Davidic king who would meet the needs of the people through the spirit of God possessed by him in a special way. It is not at all likely that Isaiah had in mind the person of the Messiah as we know him. The Church, however, reading this passage in the light of further revelation understands that Isaiah's prophecy of the ideal king was eminently fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, Himself of the Davidic line. Jesus was a unique king, one who could call both God and David his father.

The prophet Isaiah would have been thrilled into ecstasy had he known that the hope which he held out for his nation was to be realized in Jesus Christ, the God-man. And yet how easy it is for us to take the reality of Jesus Christ for granted. The story of his birth in Bethlehem, David's city, we have heard since we were children. Perhaps we still have only a child's appreciation of its meaning. During Advent we should meditate on this great truth and give thanks and praise to God.