It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Light Has Shined, a Reflection on Isaiah 9:1-4

Isaiah is speaking of a people who have known anguish, not just disappointment that things didn't turn out as well as might be hoped, but anguish, something different from and more than sorrow. His reference is to physical exile, but we can read his promises to apply to all kinds of distances and separations and losses.

Isaiah says of the people who have lived in deep darkness, on them light has shined.

We are reading this passage during the period after Epiphany and, as Christians, we interpret this light as the recognition of Christ.

As we contemplate the impact that the Epiphany has (should have or should have had) on our daily lives (expectations, ways of behaving, ability to accept other types of people), we can go back to what Isaiah said about what happened to those ancient people who had known anguish and what their response is to be.

They recognize the work of God. They express gratitude.

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