The Barren Overflows

The Christmas story? It starts with the barren.
Before Christ is even conceived, there is a woman, disgraced, arms empty, heart and womb, desolate. There is an entire nation, impoverished, unfruitful. A woman, a people, waiting, longing. For rescue. For fruit. For hope.
It is there, in the dust of forgotten dreams, in the cracks of hearts broken and bereft, that the lusty cry from a manger pours compassion, comfort, on all her ruins. (Isaiah 51:3)
Elizabeth recognizes that it was God who had done this for her, who had shown His favor upon her. (Luke 1:25) The parched land became glad with the blossom of John's birth. The wilderness rejoiced with the arrival of Christ, the Savior.
"Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for  the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. " Isaiah 52:9
We want to focus on the sweet-babe-in-a-manger without recognizing the state of hearts surrounding His arrival. Desitute. Impoverished. Barren.
It is John's cry from the wilderness, from that dry, desert place, that calls out: "Prepare the way for the Lord..." Make room amidst your resentments, your disappointments. Carve out a hole from the hardness of crushed dreams, failures and waywardness. Cast aside your bitterness.
For the Lord will surely comfort. God, He will come.
Because of the barrenness, the splendor of our God is magnified. His favor, removes the disgrace.
John, the fruit of the withered, prepares the way for Him who is the tender mercy of our God.
Thus, the empty always overflows. Always.
For God, He will come.
And nothing, is impossible with Him.