COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Isaiah 8:23-9:3
In the darkness of conquest, a light is seen bringing great joy. Today's Lesson is in part a repeat of Christmas Day. Then it was used as a fulfilled prophecy of the birth of the Messiah-king. Here it is used as fulfillment of the glorious time for the land, "Galilee of the nations." Matthew, in today's Gospel, sees the start of Jesus' ministry in Galilee as the fulfillment of this promise. The historical background: In 734 B.C. Assyria takes into captivity Zebulon and Naphtali. It is a dark time of their history. But, the people see a light in the coming Messiah-king whose coming means great joy.

Old Testament: Amos 3:1-8
Israel's sin is so terrible because God's love is so great.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Paul appeals for unity in the Cor…