Isaiah 60:1-7 (NRSV)
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Chapter 60Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Verse 2For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Verse 3Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Verse 4Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. Verse 5Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. Verse 6A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. Verse 7All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall be acceptable on my altar, and I will glorify my glorious house.
Devotion
The vision of the prophet is God-given. God is the source of all light in a world where darkness covers the whole earth and total darkness the peoples. God does not abandon the darkness but enters in, so that God’s glory and radiance might be seen. In God’s brightness our eyes are opened to see the prophet’s vision. The promise is that even our daughters and sons will be drawn in faith to the anointed one of God…Jesus Christ.
Prayer
O God, who created light and darkness, illumine our hearts that we, as the first visitors, may see your glory and presence in your anointed one. May we, too, proclaim your praise and glory present in a lowly manger. Amen.