Isaiah 60:1-6 br...
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Isaiah 60:1-6
In Hollywood, some movie premiers are accompanied by massive searchlights rotating across the sky. Such lights are also used for tradeshows, award ceremonies, store openings, or casinos. They attempt to make an event seem important; yet, all they're doing is advertising in order to attract people to spend money.
In Isaiah 60, the Lord's words about light carry a message contrary to our culture's evaluation of what's interesting or serious. The word arrives about a light that's a symbol of God's action on their behalf. God doesn't come to take something from them but to give something to them; and God's concern will be "seen" in the ransom of the weak. God's concern will "show up" in the exiles' return. And in response to such mercy the recipients will "be radiant." All this is symbolized by God's light.
Isaiah 60:1-6
Many years ago in England a circus elephant named Bozo was very popular with the public. Children loved to crowd around his cage and throw him peanuts. Then one day there was a sudden change in the elephant's personality. Several times he tried to kill his keeper and when the children came near his cage he would charge toward them as if wanting to trample them to death. It was obvious he would have to be destroyed. The circus owner, a greedy and crude man, decided to stage a public execution of the animal. In this way, he could sell tickets and try to recoup some of the cost of losing such valuable property. The day came and the huge circus tent was packed.
Bozo, in his cage, was in the center ring. Nearby stood a firing squad with high-powered rifles. The manager, standing near the cage, was about ready to give the signal to fire, when out of the crowd came a short, inconspicuous man in a brown derby hat.
"There is no need for this," he told the manager quietly.
The manager brushed him aside. "He is a bad elephant. He must die before he kills someone."
"You are wrong," insisted the man. "Give me two minutes in the cage alone with him and I will prove you are wrong."
The manager turned and stared in amazement. "You will be killed," he said. "I don't think so," said the man.
"Do I have your permission?"
The manager, being the kind of man he was, was not one to pass up such a dramatic spectacle. Even if the man were killed, the publicity alone would be worth millions. "All right," he said, "but first you will have to sign a release absolving the circus of all responsibility."
The small man signed the paper. As he removed his coat and hat, preparing to enter the cage, the manager told the people what was about to happen. A hush fell over the crowd. The door to the cage was unlocked, the man stepped inside, then the door was locked behind him. At the sight of this stranger in his cage the elephant threw back his trunk, let out a might roar, then bent his head preparing to charge. The man stood quite still, a faint smile on his face as he began to talk to the animal. The audience was so quiet that those nearest the cage could hear the man talking but couldn't make out the words; he seemed to be speaking some foreign language. Slowly, as the man continued to talk, the elephant raised his head. Then the crowd heard an almost piteous cry from the elephant as his enormous head began to sway gently from side to side. Smiling, the man walked confidently to the animal and began to stroke the long trunk. All aggression seemed suddenly to have been drained from the elephant. Docile as a pup now he wound his trunk around the man's waist and the two walked slowly around the ring. The astounded audience could bear the silence no longer and broke out in cheers and clapping. After a while the man bade farewell to the elephant and left the cage.
"He'll be all right now," he told the manager. "You see, he's an Indian elephant and none of you spoke his language, Hindustani. I would advise you to get someone around here who speaks Hindustani. He was just homesick." And with that the little man put on his coat and hat and left. The astounded manager looked down at the slip of paper in his hand. The name the man had signed was Rudyard Kipling.
(from Bits and Pieces, December 1991, pp. 19-23)
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ray Bradbury's short story, All Summer in a Day, deals with the fictional human colonization of Venus, where it rains all day, every day. The story takes place in a class of nine-year-olds, most of whom can't even remember what it is like to see the sun. Only one child, Margot, has any recollection of her life on Earth, and clings to her memories of the sun. Because of her preoccupation with Earth and the sun, she is teased and ostracized by her classmates. They go so far as to lock her in a closet as a prank. But suddenly, sunlight breaks through the cloudy sky! The students promptly forget Margot and race outside to enjoy the only hour of sunshine their planet has seen for years. When it begins to rain again, they return inside -- and remember Margot, locked away from the hour of sun because of their cruelty. Isaiah is like Margot, preaching about a light that no one can really understand. It's not until Jesus comes, long after Isaiah is gone, that we can begin to comprehend what Isaiah was trying to tell us.
Isaiah 60:1-6
I have always loved to sing songs about stars. An early childhood memory is singing along with Jiminy Cricket on "When You Wish Upon A Star" on Sunday evening television. Many folks today are searching desperately for the "right" star on which to hitch their dreams. Yet that star never seems to appear. We rush ahead through life, afraid that we will miss being able to catch that one falling star, and opportunities of a lifetime will vanish before our eyes.
The stargazers who found themselves in Bethlehem came carrying all the tools of their astrological trade. There were incantations, potions, and charts along with the frankincense, gold, and myrrh. These magi may have been, like many today, existing in a personal black hole.
In an effort to discover the king of the universe among the stars, they came to understand that the real universe is the one within, where God will always dwell. Today we can sing with Isaiah, "Arise, shine, for your light has come." This is the season of lights, stars, and dreams.
Ephesians 3:1-12
It was one of the strangest and most marvelous things ever to happen in the city of New York: a city that has seen more than its share of strange and marvelous things. In late 2007, Alcides Moreno, a window-washer, working on the outside of a skyscraper, 47 stories up, fell to earth. The thing that's strange and marvelous -- and still has his doctors scratching their heads -- is that he survived.
Alcides and his brother, Edgar, were working on a window-washing platform when the cables supporting it either disengaged or snapped. Edgar was thrown from the platform and was killed. Alcides did what his safety training told him to do: he rode the platform all the way down and lived. Yet, even though he did the right thing, the fact that he survived a 47-story fall is remarkable and unprecedented. When the paramedics arrived, they were astounded to find him sitting up and talking.
Alcides' body was battered and broken. His legs were fractured in ten places. Since his accident, he's had multiple surgeries. But, he's learning to walk again. (see James Barron, " 'Miraculous' Recovery for Man Who Fell 47 Floors," New York Times, January 4, 2008)
Alcides Moreno is a living, breathing miracle. He's the man who fell from the sky. He's not the only one. On Epiphany, we remember the Son of God who fell into our world just as suddenly -- and miraculously.
Ephesians 3:1-12
A telemarketer called a home one day, and a small voice whispered, "Hello?"
"Hello! What's your name?"
Still whispering, the voice said, "Jimmy."
"How old are you, Jimmy?"
"I'm four."
"Good, is your mother home?"
"Yes, but she's busy."
"Okay, is your father home?"
"He's busy, too."
"I see, who else is there?"
"The police."
"The police? May I speak with one of them?"
"They're busy."
"Any other grown-ups there?"
"The firemen."
"May I speak with a fireman, please?"
"They're all busy."
"Jimmy, all those people in your house, and I can't talk with any of them? What are they doing?"
"Looking for me," whispered Jimmy.
Ephesians 3:1-12
For the last decade, Beth has invited her neighbors to her home the first week in January. Her neighbors always look forward to Beth's Epiphany parties. She explains that with the Christmas rush over people are more relaxed. Friends and neighbors do not always make the time to be together at other times of the year.
Beth makes a point of inviting people from church or her neighborhood who might not be invited to many social events. There was a young couple new to the church and community, who did not know anyone outside of work. They appreciated meeting new people. Then there is Sally, a recent widow who does not get to see her grandchildren much, but enjoys watching the children at Beth's house. Beth even invited Tom who has the reputation of being grumpy. Being with other people softens him up, he also enjoyed the afternoon.
What makes Beth's parties memorable is that she includes people of all ages, young and old. And everyone has a great time. Before they go home they gather around the piano to sing Christmas Carols with the children suggesting other fun songs. There is always plenty of laugher.
Paul writing to the Ephesians, "In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit." Other people, those in our neighborhoods and places of employment will know that we are Christians by our love.
Ephesians 3:1-12
One of life's frustrating mysteries: Why is it so hard to swat a fly? Michael Dickinson of California Institute of Technology may have revealed the mystery. According to Dickinson, whose lifework is the study of the fly, flies adjust their escape from danger according to the direction of the threat. Within 200 milliseconds, the fly can detect where the threat is coming from, adjust its body's position in such a way as to take off in the opposite direction. For example, if a fly detects a threat from the front, it will move its middle legs forward, lift its back legs, lean backward in preparation for a backward takeoff. So, surmises Dickinson, we might be more successful aiming at the escape route of the fly rather than directly at it.
Dickinson uncovered the mystery of the fly after years of hard work and study. Paul, on the other hand, had the mystery of God revealed to him through revelation.
Matthew 2:1-12
Six seminarians had met weekly in their externship with Don, the denomination's executive in their city. Two students thirty years later discussed how they'd benefited from Don's advice. Some students in the group had shared their restiveness, wanting to do ministry differently from their supervisor or not being pleased with a policy in their congregation.
Don offered them three biblical examples of wisdom: The apostle Paul a number of times left town instead of staying to fight. His master, Jesus, in Luke 4 could have been killed after his first sermon, but he also left town. And at the beginning of Jesus' life the "wise men" proved they were wise by not returning to Herod but leaving for "their own country by another road." Christian leaders need not engage in every possible conflict.
Matthew 2:1-12
The word is "deceit." Herod had no intention to go to the birthplace of Jesus and pay homage.
In the 1920s, a Scotsman named Arthur Ferguson stood idly in London's Trafalgar Square. As he watched, an obviously well-to-do American began admiring the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson and the column it rested on. Struck with a sudden inspiration, Ferguson put his remarkable selling ability to work and "sold" Nelson's column to the American for about $30,000 -- lions included!
Not one to rest on his laurels, Ferguson went on from there to sell the famous clock, Big Ben, to another American for $5,000 and took $10,000 from yet another as down payment on Buckingham Palace. By the time justice caught up with him, Ferguson had added the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty to the list of his amazing "sales"! He spent several years in prison for his remarkable deceptions.
Matthew 2:1-12
A mother and daughter were driving home from a trip to the city. They lived in a rural area, and it would take an hour of driving through the dark countryside until they reached home. As they drove, they watched the stars; they were so distracted that they took a wrong turn and wound up on an unfamiliar country road. Instead of worrying about finding a map, the pair tried to follow the constellations to find the direction they wanted to go. After nearly 45 minutes of driving through twisting rural lanes, they finally gave up and pulled out the map. Following stars was much harder than they had anticipated! Unlike these would-be astronomers, the wise men had no map to fall back on as they made their trek to Bethlehem. They had no directions, nothing but blind faith in a star, one of those constantly moving heavenly bodies. If only we all could have such faith!
Matthew 2:1-12
On Epiphany we celebrate the original gift-giving, the gifts of the magi, whose example is why we give gifts at Christmas. January 5, the eve of Epiphany, is actually the twelfth day of Christmas. Today, Christmas seems to be over in one day, and Christmas trees are out at the curb the next day. Festive lighting is extinguished on December 26.
The Pilgrims who landed in this country discovered that Native Americans passed gifts on and this came to be called "Indian giving." Today many "regift" items they have received, but have no use for, when they need a present.
We have inherited a European understanding of gifts, but Jesus, like Native Americans, wants gifts to keep on giving. Even today gold is the essence of hard currency. Frankincense was once used for the purification of holy things, but Jesus expands holiness to include even ordinary sinners such as us. Myrrh was used for sacred anointing for burial. Each of us dies symbolically with Jesus at our baptism, and we are then born into new life. Through the gift of Christ's death and resurrection we are given the gift of eternal life. This is truly the season of gifts.
In Hollywood, some movie premiers are accompanied by massive searchlights rotating across the sky. Such lights are also used for tradeshows, award ceremonies, store openings, or casinos. They attempt to make an event seem important; yet, all they're doing is advertising in order to attract people to spend money.
In Isaiah 60, the Lord's words about light carry a message contrary to our culture's evaluation of what's interesting or serious. The word arrives about a light that's a symbol of God's action on their behalf. God doesn't come to take something from them but to give something to them; and God's concern will be "seen" in the ransom of the weak. God's concern will "show up" in the exiles' return. And in response to such mercy the recipients will "be radiant." All this is symbolized by God's light.
Isaiah 60:1-6
Many years ago in England a circus elephant named Bozo was very popular with the public. Children loved to crowd around his cage and throw him peanuts. Then one day there was a sudden change in the elephant's personality. Several times he tried to kill his keeper and when the children came near his cage he would charge toward them as if wanting to trample them to death. It was obvious he would have to be destroyed. The circus owner, a greedy and crude man, decided to stage a public execution of the animal. In this way, he could sell tickets and try to recoup some of the cost of losing such valuable property. The day came and the huge circus tent was packed.
Bozo, in his cage, was in the center ring. Nearby stood a firing squad with high-powered rifles. The manager, standing near the cage, was about ready to give the signal to fire, when out of the crowd came a short, inconspicuous man in a brown derby hat.
"There is no need for this," he told the manager quietly.
The manager brushed him aside. "He is a bad elephant. He must die before he kills someone."
"You are wrong," insisted the man. "Give me two minutes in the cage alone with him and I will prove you are wrong."
The manager turned and stared in amazement. "You will be killed," he said. "I don't think so," said the man.
"Do I have your permission?"
The manager, being the kind of man he was, was not one to pass up such a dramatic spectacle. Even if the man were killed, the publicity alone would be worth millions. "All right," he said, "but first you will have to sign a release absolving the circus of all responsibility."
The small man signed the paper. As he removed his coat and hat, preparing to enter the cage, the manager told the people what was about to happen. A hush fell over the crowd. The door to the cage was unlocked, the man stepped inside, then the door was locked behind him. At the sight of this stranger in his cage the elephant threw back his trunk, let out a might roar, then bent his head preparing to charge. The man stood quite still, a faint smile on his face as he began to talk to the animal. The audience was so quiet that those nearest the cage could hear the man talking but couldn't make out the words; he seemed to be speaking some foreign language. Slowly, as the man continued to talk, the elephant raised his head. Then the crowd heard an almost piteous cry from the elephant as his enormous head began to sway gently from side to side. Smiling, the man walked confidently to the animal and began to stroke the long trunk. All aggression seemed suddenly to have been drained from the elephant. Docile as a pup now he wound his trunk around the man's waist and the two walked slowly around the ring. The astounded audience could bear the silence no longer and broke out in cheers and clapping. After a while the man bade farewell to the elephant and left the cage.
"He'll be all right now," he told the manager. "You see, he's an Indian elephant and none of you spoke his language, Hindustani. I would advise you to get someone around here who speaks Hindustani. He was just homesick." And with that the little man put on his coat and hat and left. The astounded manager looked down at the slip of paper in his hand. The name the man had signed was Rudyard Kipling.
(from Bits and Pieces, December 1991, pp. 19-23)
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ray Bradbury's short story, All Summer in a Day, deals with the fictional human colonization of Venus, where it rains all day, every day. The story takes place in a class of nine-year-olds, most of whom can't even remember what it is like to see the sun. Only one child, Margot, has any recollection of her life on Earth, and clings to her memories of the sun. Because of her preoccupation with Earth and the sun, she is teased and ostracized by her classmates. They go so far as to lock her in a closet as a prank. But suddenly, sunlight breaks through the cloudy sky! The students promptly forget Margot and race outside to enjoy the only hour of sunshine their planet has seen for years. When it begins to rain again, they return inside -- and remember Margot, locked away from the hour of sun because of their cruelty. Isaiah is like Margot, preaching about a light that no one can really understand. It's not until Jesus comes, long after Isaiah is gone, that we can begin to comprehend what Isaiah was trying to tell us.
Isaiah 60:1-6
I have always loved to sing songs about stars. An early childhood memory is singing along with Jiminy Cricket on "When You Wish Upon A Star" on Sunday evening television. Many folks today are searching desperately for the "right" star on which to hitch their dreams. Yet that star never seems to appear. We rush ahead through life, afraid that we will miss being able to catch that one falling star, and opportunities of a lifetime will vanish before our eyes.
The stargazers who found themselves in Bethlehem came carrying all the tools of their astrological trade. There were incantations, potions, and charts along with the frankincense, gold, and myrrh. These magi may have been, like many today, existing in a personal black hole.
In an effort to discover the king of the universe among the stars, they came to understand that the real universe is the one within, where God will always dwell. Today we can sing with Isaiah, "Arise, shine, for your light has come." This is the season of lights, stars, and dreams.
Ephesians 3:1-12
It was one of the strangest and most marvelous things ever to happen in the city of New York: a city that has seen more than its share of strange and marvelous things. In late 2007, Alcides Moreno, a window-washer, working on the outside of a skyscraper, 47 stories up, fell to earth. The thing that's strange and marvelous -- and still has his doctors scratching their heads -- is that he survived.
Alcides and his brother, Edgar, were working on a window-washing platform when the cables supporting it either disengaged or snapped. Edgar was thrown from the platform and was killed. Alcides did what his safety training told him to do: he rode the platform all the way down and lived. Yet, even though he did the right thing, the fact that he survived a 47-story fall is remarkable and unprecedented. When the paramedics arrived, they were astounded to find him sitting up and talking.
Alcides' body was battered and broken. His legs were fractured in ten places. Since his accident, he's had multiple surgeries. But, he's learning to walk again. (see James Barron, " 'Miraculous' Recovery for Man Who Fell 47 Floors," New York Times, January 4, 2008)
Alcides Moreno is a living, breathing miracle. He's the man who fell from the sky. He's not the only one. On Epiphany, we remember the Son of God who fell into our world just as suddenly -- and miraculously.
Ephesians 3:1-12
A telemarketer called a home one day, and a small voice whispered, "Hello?"
"Hello! What's your name?"
Still whispering, the voice said, "Jimmy."
"How old are you, Jimmy?"
"I'm four."
"Good, is your mother home?"
"Yes, but she's busy."
"Okay, is your father home?"
"He's busy, too."
"I see, who else is there?"
"The police."
"The police? May I speak with one of them?"
"They're busy."
"Any other grown-ups there?"
"The firemen."
"May I speak with a fireman, please?"
"They're all busy."
"Jimmy, all those people in your house, and I can't talk with any of them? What are they doing?"
"Looking for me," whispered Jimmy.
Ephesians 3:1-12
For the last decade, Beth has invited her neighbors to her home the first week in January. Her neighbors always look forward to Beth's Epiphany parties. She explains that with the Christmas rush over people are more relaxed. Friends and neighbors do not always make the time to be together at other times of the year.
Beth makes a point of inviting people from church or her neighborhood who might not be invited to many social events. There was a young couple new to the church and community, who did not know anyone outside of work. They appreciated meeting new people. Then there is Sally, a recent widow who does not get to see her grandchildren much, but enjoys watching the children at Beth's house. Beth even invited Tom who has the reputation of being grumpy. Being with other people softens him up, he also enjoyed the afternoon.
What makes Beth's parties memorable is that she includes people of all ages, young and old. And everyone has a great time. Before they go home they gather around the piano to sing Christmas Carols with the children suggesting other fun songs. There is always plenty of laugher.
Paul writing to the Ephesians, "In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit." Other people, those in our neighborhoods and places of employment will know that we are Christians by our love.
Ephesians 3:1-12
One of life's frustrating mysteries: Why is it so hard to swat a fly? Michael Dickinson of California Institute of Technology may have revealed the mystery. According to Dickinson, whose lifework is the study of the fly, flies adjust their escape from danger according to the direction of the threat. Within 200 milliseconds, the fly can detect where the threat is coming from, adjust its body's position in such a way as to take off in the opposite direction. For example, if a fly detects a threat from the front, it will move its middle legs forward, lift its back legs, lean backward in preparation for a backward takeoff. So, surmises Dickinson, we might be more successful aiming at the escape route of the fly rather than directly at it.
Dickinson uncovered the mystery of the fly after years of hard work and study. Paul, on the other hand, had the mystery of God revealed to him through revelation.
Matthew 2:1-12
Six seminarians had met weekly in their externship with Don, the denomination's executive in their city. Two students thirty years later discussed how they'd benefited from Don's advice. Some students in the group had shared their restiveness, wanting to do ministry differently from their supervisor or not being pleased with a policy in their congregation.
Don offered them three biblical examples of wisdom: The apostle Paul a number of times left town instead of staying to fight. His master, Jesus, in Luke 4 could have been killed after his first sermon, but he also left town. And at the beginning of Jesus' life the "wise men" proved they were wise by not returning to Herod but leaving for "their own country by another road." Christian leaders need not engage in every possible conflict.
Matthew 2:1-12
The word is "deceit." Herod had no intention to go to the birthplace of Jesus and pay homage.
In the 1920s, a Scotsman named Arthur Ferguson stood idly in London's Trafalgar Square. As he watched, an obviously well-to-do American began admiring the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson and the column it rested on. Struck with a sudden inspiration, Ferguson put his remarkable selling ability to work and "sold" Nelson's column to the American for about $30,000 -- lions included!
Not one to rest on his laurels, Ferguson went on from there to sell the famous clock, Big Ben, to another American for $5,000 and took $10,000 from yet another as down payment on Buckingham Palace. By the time justice caught up with him, Ferguson had added the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty to the list of his amazing "sales"! He spent several years in prison for his remarkable deceptions.
Matthew 2:1-12
A mother and daughter were driving home from a trip to the city. They lived in a rural area, and it would take an hour of driving through the dark countryside until they reached home. As they drove, they watched the stars; they were so distracted that they took a wrong turn and wound up on an unfamiliar country road. Instead of worrying about finding a map, the pair tried to follow the constellations to find the direction they wanted to go. After nearly 45 minutes of driving through twisting rural lanes, they finally gave up and pulled out the map. Following stars was much harder than they had anticipated! Unlike these would-be astronomers, the wise men had no map to fall back on as they made their trek to Bethlehem. They had no directions, nothing but blind faith in a star, one of those constantly moving heavenly bodies. If only we all could have such faith!
Matthew 2:1-12
On Epiphany we celebrate the original gift-giving, the gifts of the magi, whose example is why we give gifts at Christmas. January 5, the eve of Epiphany, is actually the twelfth day of Christmas. Today, Christmas seems to be over in one day, and Christmas trees are out at the curb the next day. Festive lighting is extinguished on December 26.
The Pilgrims who landed in this country discovered that Native Americans passed gifts on and this came to be called "Indian giving." Today many "regift" items they have received, but have no use for, when they need a present.
We have inherited a European understanding of gifts, but Jesus, like Native Americans, wants gifts to keep on giving. Even today gold is the essence of hard currency. Frankincense was once used for the purification of holy things, but Jesus expands holiness to include even ordinary sinners such as us. Myrrh was used for sacred anointing for burial. Each of us dies symbolically with Jesus at our baptism, and we are then born into new life. Through the gift of Christ's death and resurrection we are given the gift of eternal life. This is truly the season of gifts.
