Advent with Isaiah
Most scholars divide Isaiah into three parts. The first collection of prophecies (chapters 1-39), written about 700 BC, is full of warnings about the destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of Judah, the southern kingdom. (By this point in history the northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to the Assyrian Empire.) The second collection (chapters 40-55) dates from a later period. Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 587 BC and her leaders were taken away into exile. Into this experience of loss comes the good news that God is about to bring the scattered Israelites home and restore the nation’s fortunes. The final collection (chapters 56-66) comes from a time after the return from exile. It challenges the people of Jerusalem to remember those earlier dreams of a better world, as they rebuild the city and the nation. The Advent readings are taken from the first section of Isaiah. Against a general backdrop of judgement and impending disaster, these prophecies are shot through with hope. Isaiah remains confident that God will usher in an everlasting kingdom of justice and peace that will ultimately benefit all nations. Such is his confidence, some scholars suggest that these prophecies should properly belong in the second or third sections of the book. They may be right, but clearly the unknown editors of the book wanted to show the light of hope and faith burning brightly, even in Israel’s darkest hour. Because of this, these are wonderful texts to read in Advent.
Advent with Matthew
As we celebrate Jesus’ birth, imagine, for a moment, that you are among those for whom Matthew wrote his Gospel (no Luke or John). What does Matthew tell us? That Joseph is a descendant of King David; that Mary’s miraculous pregnancy fulfils Old Testament prophecy; that the boy will be ‘God with us’ (Emmanuel); and that, before they had to flee to Egypt, the young Jesus is visited by a group of ‘wise men from the east’ searching for a new king of the Jews. That’s it. How different the Christmas cards would be and the carol services.
The Revd Anne Stevens is Vicar of St Pancras Church in London.