Jeremiah 33:14-16
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

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Advent is the season of watching and waiting. But I don’t believe that we’re waiting for God to show up — spoiler alert, God is always and already here — but we are waiting for God to be born again in us in new ways so that justice and righteousness can spring up all around us, in us, and in spite of us.

Because this branch is not some person from once upon a time or a galaxy far, far away. This branch is you and me. We are the branches for justice and righteousness. When you march in a protest, you are a righteous branch springing up. When you call your congress person to advocate for children who are separated from their families, you are a righteous branch springing up. When you pray with your feet and your vote, you are a righteous branch springing up.

-Rev. Jim Keat

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Where do you see justice and righteousness springing up in our world?

In your own words, what does it mean to be a “righteous branch”?

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This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Jim Keat. Samples include Radiolab. Background tracks include Relinquish by Podington Bear, As Old Roads by Goldmund, Secret Place by Alex Fitch, Drifters by Kelly Pratt, and 88 by Podington Bear.

For more information and to download the Be Still and Go Advent devotional, visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo/.