Eden was paradise. Rather, Eden was paradise before sin ruptured relationships. Mark Twain, in The Diaries of Adam and Eve, provides interesting thoughts on this matter. In his telling, it was a Wednesday morning when Eve sinned and every beast began destroying the others. 

Isaiah is given eyes to see to the coming of Messiah and beyond to a restored creation. The new heaven and the new earth to come will enjoy the harmony that was the rule before sin entered with dramatic danger, death, and decay.

The Apostle Paul addresses this special future in Romans 8:18-25. The section heading in the Christian Standard Bible is “From Groans to Glory.” Verse 19 says, “For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.” Verse 21 says, “creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.”

Verse 25 says, “Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.” 

Some things are worth waiting for. 

Isaiah 11 is worth waiting for. Romans 8 is worth waiting for. Jesus stepping into history in the first advent is worth the wait, the anticipation. Jesus returning to set all things right at his second advent is worth our joyful anticipation. 

The wolf will dwell with the lamb.

The leopard will lie down with the goat.

The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf will be together.

A little child will lead them.

Christmas is the story of an ending with a new beginning of heaven on earth.

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