The prophet says:
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
The evangelist answers:
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
The prophet says: Those who dwelt in a land
of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
The apostles answer:
He has delivered us from
the domain of darkness,
and
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
The prophet foresees:
For unto us a child is born,
The angel reports: For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Prophet: unto us a son is given;
Apostle: For God so loved the world
that he gave his only son.
The Old Testament sees the future: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder
The New Testament sees further, to the time when
“The kingdom of the world has becomethe kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ;”
Isaiah says “his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor,”
And Paul says “in him are hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Isaiah says this child shall be called the Mighty God
John says Isaiah saw Christ’s glory and spoke of him.
Isaiah says this Son will be called the Everlasting Father,
Jesus says “No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Isaiah: Prince of Peace.
Paul: For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one
and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.
The prophet: Of the increase of his government
and of peace there will be no end.
The apostle: and He shall reign forever and ever.
And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, because the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be ours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring to see what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to the prophets that they were serving not themselves but us, in the things that have now been announced in the gospel by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
For my church‘s 2014 Christmas concert service, I wrote a set of 9 readings to accompany the night of songs: a Lessons and Carols service. I’m posting the lessons here at Scriptorium Daily from now until Christmas day. Banner design by Josh Kenfield.
