ニューイングランドの母校から、今年もアドベントの日々メッセージ その7 DECEMBER 8, 2018 A Long Journey to See the King Isaiah 60:3

ニューイングランドの母校から、今年もアドベントの日々メッセージ　その7
DECEMBER 8, 2018
A Long Journey to See the King
Isaiah 60:3

"Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" (NASB).

The prophet Isaiah saw a vision of people dwelling in darkness. Yet one day they would see a great light and be drawn to it. Those groping in darkness desperately need light, like parched land that yearns for the rain, or winter that longs for the first sign of spring. The irresistible light would beckon distant and foreign travelers to carry with them their treasures of gold and frankincense, prepared to meet the King. How the prophet must have pondered these matters, wondering what times and places the Spirit of God had in view. But in a cosmic moment, planned from all eternity, the waiting was over.

Magi in the east behold an inexplicable sight—a bright shining star that summons them to make the long journey to Jerusalem, and then to a small town named Bethlehem, where their guiding star now rests. There they behold the glory of God, the incarnate God in human form. And they bow down in worship and present their treasures to him as gifts fit for a King.

The Magi saw the star from afar. But now they see the King, the Everlasting Light who shines light into the world. "O little town of Bethlehem…The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."

This Advent season we celebrate the arrival of the King, the Everlasting Light who shines his light into the dark places. We who have groped in the dark know how desperately we have needed light. And we know that his light alone gives us life.

Carol Kaminski, Ph.D.
Professor of Old Testament