January 26, 2022 -- Isaiah 60:1-2 -- Standing in the Light of Christ

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
   and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
   and thick darkness the peoples:
but the LORD will arise upon you,
   and His glory will be seen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1-2 ESV

What an appropriate time of the year to read this. First, winter grey whether is so gloomy. But add a little light, even on a night where there’s only a sliver of moon shining on the snow, and it brighten the night. Second, this reading is appropriate because much of the church is celebrating season of Epiphany—celebrating the ever greater, growing Light of Jesus Christ. He is the Light that has come into the world.

It is appropriate to read this passage today, because so much of the world is in darkness. The nearness of God is clear. The glory of Jesus Christ has come to this world. When He ascended into heaven he left His Spirit so that the greatness of our God can be known—but many people still, just stubbornly, stay in darkness. People aware of the Light choose to stay in the darkness, denying the scintillating, dazzling sunshine of our Father’s love and beauty.

Finally, this passage is appropriate because the LORD has risen upon you—in fact, as you believe in Jesus Christ, by the powerful of His Spirit living in you, your words and actions, your life and your decisions not to participate in deeds of darkness reveal the glory of God in a tangible way to the people around you. And this glorious light will shine fuller and brighter until, finally, in the New Heaven and New Earth Jesus Christ and His Light will be all our Light and Joy and Peace.

O God, perfect us in love, that we may conquer all selfishness and hatred of others; fill our hearts with Your joy, and shine into our hearts Your peace which passes all understanding; that the murmurings and disputing to which we are so prone will be overcome. Make us long-suffering and gentle, and Spirit of God work in us so that we will be able to subdue our hastiness and angry tempers, and grant that we may produce the fruit of the Spirit to the praise and glory of the Triune God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer by Henry Alford (1810-1871), updated

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