COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-4
This passage is a portion of the First Lesson for Christmas Day. On that occasion it was employed as a fulfillment of the expectation of the birth of the Messiah. In the context of Epiphany it is used as a fulfillment of the promise that the Messiah would be a light for all the nations. This passage was written during a time of great darkness and gloom. The tribes of Zebulon and Naphtali had been subjugated by the Assyrians in 734 B.C. Yet, the prophet envisions a brighter future through the aegis of the messianic king.

Old Testament: Amos 3:1-8
Of all the nations on earth, only with the Jews has God entered into an intimate relationship. Therefore, they are judged more severely because knowledge equals responsibility. To those whom more is given, m…