Isaiah 9:2, 4, 7

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined" (Isaiah 9:2 RSV). 

"For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Mid´ian" (Isaiah 9:4 RSV). 

"Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this" (Isaiah 9:7 RSV).

 

Comment:

Scholars believe these passages may be part of an oracle written to celebrate the accession of the Judean king Hezekiah. They are full of confidence in the favor of God and the strength of the Davidic monarchy. Today, of course, they are interpreted by many Jews as describing a promised Messiah, and by Christian interpreters as foreshadowing the birth of Jesus. Metaphysically, we understand this and similar passages in Isaiah to be describing our own spiritual journey, which takes us into "a land of deep darkness" in which we believe ourselves to be limited and alone, enduring this human experience as the punishment from an angry God. The "great light" is the birth in consciousness—within each of us -- of Christ awareness. Realizing ourselves to be spiritual beings of unlimited power, always One with each other and with a God of infinite Love, we realize there are no limits to the creative power we are here to experience and express. This is the true meaning of Christmas—a realization that out of the dark and confusing shadows of the solstice comes a flicker of new light, and that our purpose is to nurture it, allow it to grow within us, and then to be the channels through which the Light will express to transform the world.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed