Sunday 14th December 2025
Fan Heafield
“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear, your God will come.” (Isaiah 35:3-4)
Hope in times of exhaustion
As an ex-teacher and a parent, the Autumn term always seemed to be endless. It started with the warm end of summer and by the time it got to Advent and Christmas it was dark, cold and often rainy.
The weeks leading up to the end of term cover most of Advent and it is just at this point we are all rushing around organising. There are the school plays and concerts, the church sales and coffee mornings, the present buying, the visits and visiting, and the food preparation and tidying up. For me, at many points of my life, by Advent I was simply exhausted. As a child, Advent seemed to go on forever, as a teen it was a time of mock exams, working life meant you had to be upbeat after 13-14 weeks of planning and delivering lessons, never mind the marking. As a parent I was trying to get everything sorted ready for the ‘moment’.
But as you go through Advent it gradually sinks in this is about hope not despair, you may be exhausted but the love that God is going to give us by sending his Son overcomes the darkness and weariness.
These verses are about encouraging those who are weak and fearful, strengthening them by declaring that God will come to save them and bring them the ultimate deliverance, instilling hope and confidence in the face of adversity. The speaker in this verse is offering words of encouragement to those who may be feeling weak or discouraged. They are urging the reader to not give up in the face of challenges but instead to find the strength within themselves to press on. The call to “strengthen the weak hands” is also asking us to support those who are weary, helping them towards renewed strength. Similarly, “make firm the feeble knees” emphasizes the importance of providing stability and confidence to those who are faltering, encouraging them.
In our world, dominated by busyness and stress, the message of Isaiah 35:3 remains relevant. It serves as a reminder of our relationship one with each other, and the responsibility we have to support one another. By actively offering help and encouragement, we can develop a culture of hope and shared strength and resilience. We are plainly told the light is coming and our faith must be to the forefront of our minds and actions.
For me, I will walk in the dark and rain but know the light is coming.
Shall we pray?
Loving God, help me to turn doubt into faith, belief into my strength and fearful living into to true discipleship. You are my refuge and my strength.
Dear Lord, as we journey through this Advent season, fill our hearts with hope and anticipation. May we share this hope with others, shining your light in a world longing for love. Amen.
Fan Heafield is Convenor of Congregational Support in Lothian and Borders Presbytery. She is also a member of FAPLT.
Thinking it Through:
1. How can we find time in Advent to leave aside the organising and focus on doing God’s work?
2. How can we help others to have faith that their exhaustion and doubts can be overcome by God’s love?