And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. Isaiah 35:8a We take safe travel somewhat for granted in our nation and in our day. Certainly we have weather issues, and we have deer issues. But we do not have thieves and robbers lying in wait for us on a day-to-day basis. We do not have prowling lions waiting on the path to work or church. We have it pretty good. This was not so for the people to whom Isaiah preached. Travel for the common person over isolated roads was a deadly affair. Highwaymen waited for the unprotected and vulnerable traveler. They thought nothing of killing sojourners to simply get what they were carrying on their backs. Lions and bears and packs of dogs were not uncommon threats to travelers’ lives as well. In wilderness areas, travel even had to be planned on the availability of water. The only hope that a traveler might have could be found in a highway and that only if a king chose to send soldiers to guard and protect his people. Then, they might feel some measure of safety as they walked. When it came to the spiritual journey of God’s Old Testament people, they did not enjoy such safety either. The kings and teachers of the law who were sent to protect them most often did not. The kings and rulers deprived them of justice. Orphans and widows found no protection. The poor were exploited to allow the rich to live in luxury. The teachers of the law did not lead them to the Messiah. Rather they heaped up mounds of man-made laws which crushed them. On top of that, our great enemy, the prowling lion, had great freedom to bring fear and doubt into their hearts. But all that would change when the Eternal King entered the world stage. He did not come to exploit or to rule in injustice. He came to release us from bondage. He came to live out the just requirements of the law for us. He came to carry our burden. He came to be our Savior. He did not come to increase our fear, anxiety, and doubt. He came to forever destroy the works of the evil one. He came to be our champion over sin, death, and the devil. He has paved the way for us. He has opened for us the Way of Holiness. He has called us to follow Him on the Way. We rejoice and shout for joy in His protection and salvation. Blessings. Frank Van Brocklin Principal/Staff Minister T The following are the events coming up at Immanuel Lutheran School in the next weeks: ❖ ❖Saturday, December 10 Junior Handbells Ring at the Library - 9:30 AM ❖ ❖Sunday, December 11 Practice for Children’s Christmas Service - 9:00 AM ❖ Tuesday, December 13 School Board Meeting - 6:00 PM ❖ Sunday, December 18 C ❖ Sunday, December 18 Children’s Christmas Service - 10:30 AM Service (Students should be in their classrooms by 10:15 AM.) ❖ December 23 - January 1 Christmas Break - No School ❖ Tuesday, January 2 Return to Class