Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
-Isaiah 6:6

Santa is a copycat.

The whole “coal for the naughty kids” schtick? That didn’t start with him.

Actually, long before Santa, there were ancient mythological figures that delivered coal, switches, and other unpleasant items to troublesome children.

But eventually, it all came down to Santa’s infamous list. Santa, the arbiter of right and wrong. Except…

Long before Saint Nick, there was the Lord. God uses coal, too, but quite a bit differently. I think everybody might be in need of this kind of coal.

In Isaiah chapter 6, we get to hear an amazing story about a young man being called by God to be a prophet.

What’s described is a vision of a royal scene. God, seated on a throne, attended to by angels. Not your shiny human-looking ones in white robes. These were seraphs, strange and powerful, each with six wings.

Isaiah understandably freaks out. He cries out, “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

And then one of the seraphs floats over to the urn of coals lighting the altar. With a pair of tongs, it picks up a live coal, flies over, and presses it to Isaiah’s lips.

It (the seraph) says, “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” The coal didn’t injure Isaiah; it cleansed him.

And so… That’s what I want for Christmas. A lump of coal.

More specifically, I want my guilt and sin burned away. I’ve added a few new entries to the “naughty” category this year. I’m eager to repent, and to be transformed.

Did you know that Advent is traditionally supposed to be a little mini-Lent? Yep, along with all the rejoicing, it is a time to be honest with God, to let go of whatever you’ve placed between God and yourself, and to seek the transformation that comes with Christ.

God wasn’t done with Isaiah. After this cleansing comes a calling. God says “whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” God is asking for volunteers willing to speak to a world that needs it. (And Lord knows it still needs it!)

Isaiah then utters the famous words “here I am, send me,” and the rest is history. Isaiah became one of the most powerful prophets the world has ever seen. We actually quote him a lot at Christmastime:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9

That encounter with God must have been successful.

Are you willing to go through something like Isaiah did? Are you ready to declare joy to the world with that much confidence?

If you feel like your “naughtiness” is standing in the way, don’t worry. I’m guessing there are seraphs on duty 24/7, ready to act.

I promise you won’t be burned.

God loves you, even if you have to take

a few

lumps.

Have a great week,

Mitch