Can you think about a good promise that someone made to you that was kept? How did it make you feel? Do you keep your promises? Our integrity is tested by the promises we make and keep. I recently applied to become a volunteer chaplain for the Southern Shores Fire Department. Chaplains are called out in situations where a death is occurring or has just occurred. Our job is to help the family at the site of the tragedy make their way to the next step. It is a job I hope I never have to do. I asked the current chaplain all kinds of questions about what to say and do, and then finally asked her what not to do. She quickly responded, “Never make a promise that can’t be kept.”

This is a good reminder to us today about promise making and keeping. I think it is especially important when dealing with children, who take things literally and remember everything we say.

God is an awesome promise maker and keeper. In our lectionary passage today, Jeremiah wrote about the good promise God made to Israel. This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and this is a great place to start. Christmas readings should always begin with the Old Testament prophecies that foretold Jesus’ birth:

Jeremiah 33 (New International Version)

¹⁴ “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.

¹⁵ “‘In those days and at that time
    I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
    he will do what is just and right in the land.
¹⁶ In those days Judah will be saved
    and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’

The picture of the coming Messiah that is painted here describes him being a righteous branch sprout from David’s line. Jesus had a lot to say about branches and vines (see John 15) where he identifies himself as the True Vine. Jesus invites us as his branches to abide in him, and he will abide in us. He also warns us about what will happen if we fail to produce the fruit of love. I love the use of the word sprout in today’s passage, and I have to admit I have never noticed it before. That word conjures up an image of brand new baby growth. Indeed, our Lord, the Messiah, came to us as a brand new baby sprout. His righteousness will not only restore Judah and Jerusalem but will restore the world. Come Lord Jesus, come!

God fulfilled and is fulfilling his good promise to us through Jesus. How about you? Are you fulfilling your promises to your loved ones? To God?

May we be faithful to the Righteous Sprout who calls us by his name.

Sunrise Glow by Michelle Robertson