Isaiah 45: Reminders
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
The wise men approach from the East, bearing gifts that will sanctify, purify and sustain. They are yet another sign of God’s promise to us that he loves, guards and guides us. We will want to be watching for the many reminders God gives to us as marking posts along the way of our journey.
This reflection was written on January 3, 2010 and it is posted today as a Favorite . . .
I have not spoken from hiding nor from some dark place on the earth . . . I, the Lord, promise justice, I foretell what is right.
The prophet Isaiah brings us a message today that we already know; yet we can use a frequent reminder. He announces the coming of hope, the arrival of the long-awaited one who frees us from defeat, the advent of one who helps each of us to cross our daily hurdles.
It was I who stirred up one for the triumph of justice; all his ways I make level.
If we wish to walk in the level path, we have only to follow God’s anointed one. In today’s reading it is Cyrus, the Persian king who rises up against Babylon and releases the captive nations. As the New Testament story tells us, God also sends a true Messiah who releases us from our bondage of sorrow and chaos. God comes to us in the Christ.
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down. Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up!
Today we celebrate the idea that although political kings did not recognize the power of Christ, three wise magi from the East bring frankincense, gold and myrrh to the most unlikely of all kings, the child of Light, the child of Justice. Isaiah reminds us that this child brings something to us which we all seek, true peace and eternal serenity – if only we might walk with him a little way, pray with him a little while.
Come and assemble, gather together, you fugitives . . .
Rather than stand alone on the rampart, Isaiah reminds us that we must gather into phalanxes with all of the faithful, that we must put aside our squabbles so that we might rise at the sound of the Shepherd’s voice to form solidarity as we witness.
Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other!
There is no dark corner that the eye of the Lord does not see. There is no sequestered portion of creation from which the ear of God cannot hear the plea of the weary. There is no god who can outlast our God, none who can withstand our God, not one who will win any battle against this God.
The prophet Isaiah brings us a message today that we already know; yet we can use a frequent reminder.
Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other!
Images from: http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wise-men-ancient-text-differs-bible-tale-magi/story?id=12460820 and https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/the-three-magi/
For an interesting new twist to the Magi story, click the image above or go to http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wise-men-ancient-text-differs-bible-tale-magi/story?id=12460820
The Noontimes 