2018, December 25 (Christmas III) ~ Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-4

READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS III

Isaiah 52:7-10

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Ancient Israel’s history. The writings were compiled from about 700 BCE to about 300 BCE.

Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and are the words of a prophet (one who speaks for YHWH) who called for Jerusalem to repent in the 20 years before Jerusalem came under siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE.  “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55. In these chapters, a prophet brought hope to the Judeans during the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they had suffered enough and would return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and, for the most part, are the words of a prophet who gave encouragement to Judeans who returned to Jerusalem (which was largely destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE) after the Exile.

Today’s reading is from Second Isaiah tells the Exiles that the sentinels (prophets) can “see” the return of YHWH/LORD to Zion/Jerusalem, the restoration of the ruins of Jerusalem and that YHWH/LORD will bring salvation to his people. 

Hebrews 1:1-4

The Letter to the Hebrews is an anonymous sermon addressed to both Jewish and Gentile Jesus Followers who were suffering persecution. It urges them to maintain their Faith and Hope in the face of hardship. Although the Letter is sometimes attributed to Paul, most scholars agree that it was written after Paul’s death in 62 CE but likely before 100 CE. 

In today’s reading, the author identifies the Son with Holy Wisdom that was present at creation (Prov. 8:22) with the words ”through whom he also created the worlds.” (v. 2) The author also anticipates the language of the Gospel According to John – “all things came into being through him” (John 1:3). 

Because the theology of the Trinity was still evolving, the author stopped short of identifying the Son with the Father as God, and referred to the Son as “a reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being” (v.3) and as superior to angels (v.4).