Certainly the texts of the prophets remind us that this Christ event is not simply about the Israelites, but Christ Jesus comes into our human history for all people for all time. There is a comfort about this message but also a challenge. If God is responding to human brokenness with love and mercy, then how do we respond to God? Just as God gives us an unconditional 'Yes' now we have to consider what needs to change about us, that we can give a positive response to God.
Folks like Herod are not to clear about the message. While we might be filled with joy over the message of salvation, the Herod-type people are generally threatened by the 'Good News' and would seek to destroy the message. The suffering servant motif threatens that power and prestige that they have set up. To be sure the lives of those who receive Jesus is decidedly different as they encounter the Incarnation.
Isaiah's text today is a source of promise and one of hope. But it carries with it an indication of how we ought to live according to the light of Christ. Again, this is not about being nice to people, but are faith becomes so integrated into our being that we become an example of faithfulness. So in our journey of life we cannot reach a time and consider that we are finished transforming, converting, seeking, or learning; but our entire lives are an experience of coming to faith.
In these last several days we have celebrated saints whose 'saintly' highlight occurs later in life. Then consider Elizabeth and Zechariah who are called to be part of the salvation story in their elder years. So we are never done being a light to others, nor should we ever be unprepared. In the gloom and darkness of our world we have to be a source of light and glory so that others might experience the gift of God's love and mercy.
"Let your light shine before all."
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