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David Orendorff          Isaiah 9:1-6        December 20, 2009

This passage from Isaiah is one of our favorite Christmas passages.  It has been so from the beginnings of our faith.  Isaiah, along with Ezekiel and Jeremiah, is one of the three Major Prophets, along with Jeremiah and Ezekial.  Isaiah’s name means “God is salvation.”  The meaning of Isaiah’s name is important because he lived in Jerusalem somewhere between 740-701 BC.  This was the time of Assyrian exile for northern Israel.  Exile was the fairly common practice of conquering nations militarily and then occupying the territory by enslaving and removing the local leadership.  Reports indicate that some 47 towns and 28,000 people were removed from Samaria.  Ten of the twelve tribes of Israel were lost and some say they never returned.  It was in the midst of this exile that Isaiah wrote to the oppressed and persecuted Hebrews, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

True to his name, Isaiah saw God’s salvation being born and spoke hope in a time of hopelessness.  It took time, more time than was comfortable, but over generations it has become clear that the people of God cannot be destroyed by exile and earthly powers.  Judaism as a people, culture and religion has far outlasted the Assyrian empire that sought its destruction.

Fast forward seven hundred years.  It is the first century CE and Rome has occupied Palestine for a hundred years.  The Roman army is garrisoned in the holy city of Jerusalem.  The taxes and religion of Rome are forced upon a people who seek to love God alone.  The poor and faithful, as usual, suffer the most.  Several revolts have been attempted and violently suppressed.  Rome is just too big and too powerful.  In this time of hopelessness Luke has Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, prophecy ending with lines that sound like Isaiah, “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”[1]

What was promised in Isaiah is to be fulfilled in John the Baptist and then Jesus the messiah.  And it is true.  While in the name of Christianity wars have been waged, more often in the truth of Christianity wars have been avoided and ended.  Christianity has done more than any other faith to end violence, to clothe the naked, visit and heal the sick, feed and house the poor, and bring peace.

Let’s fast forward again, this time 1700 years to Ireland.  The Irish English conflict is intense.  In 1688 the English Parliament transferred all major Irish land to English aristocracy and settlers.  Poverty was rampant.  The subsequent penal code was designed to further break the back of Irish resistance.  It was the time in which Jonathan Swift wrote his scathing satire of British rule, “Gulliver’s Travels.”  It is the time of John Wesley and his vocal opposition to the cruelty of debtor prison’s, child labor, and poverty.

Again God sends a prophet, this time it is a musician.  In February of 1685 George Friderik Handel was born in Germany.  He was the son of a barber/surgeon who intended his son to be a lawyer.  But George loved music and began, at first hiding it from his father, to study organ, piano and composition.    He was good enough to finally earn his father’s approval.  His career slowly developed until he was known internationally.  In 1710 he moved to London.

But more than a musician, George Frideric Handel became a prophet for Ireland.  In 1740 he was asked to write a piece using various scripture to tell the story of Jesus as the messiah.  He was not making progress until 1741 when he was asked to do a charity concert for a hospital in Dublin.  The combination of the needs of the desperately ill, the horrendous state of the Irish English relationship and the promise of a savior inspired him between August 22 and September 14, 1741, just 24 days, to write the full Messiah.

Among the scriptures chosen was today’s Isaiah passage.  Can you imagine how Isaiah’s words, combined with Handel’s stirring music, were heard in Dublin?  The Messiah was a hit and though not as well received when later performed it London, it became of staple of Handel’s performances, especially whenever he was asked to do something charitable for hospitals or orphanages.

Today, two hundred and seventy years later, Isaiah’s words still have meaning to people who walk in darkness.  They offer hope when there would seem to be no hope.  I invite you to tell me of those dark places.  Be still for a moment and breathe the Holy Spirit.  You have heard how Isaiah first spoke these words to a people in exile.  You have heard how Luke spoke them to a people economically, politically and religiously oppressed.  You have heard how Handel spoke them for a hospital and in the midst of Irish suffering.  Be still and hear the Holy Spirit speak to your spirit of where in our world and your life are the places of darkness that the need these words of a savior being born.

The congregation then watched the Advent Medtitation by Christine Sine with music Jeff Johnson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ–5-CahIY&feature=player_embedded

Now tell me, what do you hear? Where do you see light for the darkness of the world?

Now hear the word of God, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.”  Shalom and Amen.