Isaiah 60:1-6 (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.
Devotion
The prophet Isaiah called to a people in the bleakness of exile to lift up their eyes to see the light of God's homecoming, and a new vision of all people gathered in joy. In these days, we look to the light of the star leading us again to the manger to see Jesus, our welcome into God's loving home.
This first reading for the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) reminds us of the breadth of what God intends in the birth of Jesus. Even rulers from afar walk into a new dawn bearing rich gifts, carried on the backs of camels. And the end of their journey will be the same as everyone's: to know a God who loves and cares for the earth so much that Jesus is born human like all of us.
Prayer
God, creator of light, lead us to Jesus, lead us home. Amen.