CHRISTMAS FEET

I think baby feet are cute and fun to kiss even but with the passage of time feet stop being cute and become, oh I don’t know, homely, unattractive, ugly even.  Over time feet change shape, stubborn fungi can grow under the nails and bunions and calluses grow.  Feet can change color and hammertoes can further disfigure and bring pain and the look and smell rule out any thought of kissing them.  I don’t think any amount or color of nail polish can make old feet beautiful, do you?

But Isaiah (52:7) was told to write about beautiful feet.  Later the Apostle Paul joins in in Rom. 10:15.  What can make ugly feet beautiful?  The feet that are beautiful belong to commissioned, sent feet, of runners/messengers.  We could say these are feet that are made for walking, running and carrying a beautiful message.  The ancient world did its “texting” not with thumbs flying over a hand held device but it was more a “full-body texting.”  Read in 2 Sam. 18:24ff of an example of a runner/messenger being sighted, even recognized by his run and making sure when within earshot that without all the details, the king knew that he brought good news.

So Isaiah gives us the picture of feet that have been sent with a message that even makes the feet of the messenger beautiful.  What kind of message can do that?  All the details aren’t given but as soon as the messenger is close enough to be heard, one hears the “beautiful-feeted” messenger say:  “peace, good news, salvation” all because your God reigns!  Now that is a “feet-beautifying, soul-saving, hope-filling” message for sure!

At a time when we are being told we are on the edge of an economic cliff, can hear and fear nuclear saber-rattling, be confused that moral confusion is increasing and see that persecution and oppression of the gospel are increasing everywhere, what are we to do?  We are to be on our feet [coupled with time on our knees] carrying a beautiful message at such an ugly time.  May it be so. 

Thank you for walking with us, partnering with us as we continue announcing this message to ourselves and each other and to those whose feet have taken them to many different parts of the world.

This message is universal.  This message believed now will be seen one day “ . . . in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God!” (Isa. 52:10)

We wish for ourselves and you, “beautiful feet” this Christmas season and into the New Year [whatever your feet look like] as we announce the only truly Good News in this world!  

Keith and Bonnie