Day 4 - Light of the World

Day 4 and another fantastic reading from Isaiah, and what words of encouragement for us "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you".
Again, with so many of the Old Testament Prophecies, especially about the birth of Jesus, it is easier for us to understand what they were saying, because we have seen the light of Christ in the world, we can read all about the Light in the New Testament, but what must the people listening to Isaiah thought?

Are you shining as bright as you should be for Christ in this run up to Christmas?  Its not always easy, we are all extra busy, extra excited, and extra stressed, but we mustn't forget the "reason for the season" and we must remember to shine, so that others can see the light of Christ through us.

I couldn't resist putting two versions of the same reading today, ther first from the New International Version, because I love the line "Arise, shine...." but when looking through different versions today, I also loved the Message version, so had to include it as well.

Isaiah 60:1-3, 19-22
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
² See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
³ Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
²⁰ Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
²¹ Then all your people will be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.
²² The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
in its time I will do this swiftly.”

Isaiah 60:1-3 (The Message)

 “Get out of bed, Jerusalem!
Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight.
God’s bright glory has risen for you.
The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,
all people sunk in deep darkness,
But God rises on you,
his sunrise glory breaks over you.
Nations will come to your light,
kings to your sunburst brightness.

Prize Challenge

I wonder whether Santa used a similar line when he went to get rudolp on that foggy Christmas Eve (cue song),

"Rudolph, Arise, Shine, for you have the Light of the Nose, and the world needs you!"

Perhaps not, but that's the link for todays challenge.  When you see me on Sunday (Ant's not there, so gets away with it!)  you must come up to me and sing rudolph the red nosed reindeer.  (please note, the middle of the Sunday morning service would not be a good time for this!!!)

There is also the opporunity for a bit of group work here, you could perform a group song??!!??

See you soon.