Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Isaiah 60:1-6.

The Advent candle has yielded to the intensity of the Star in the East—shining, moving, leading, drawing the entire world to the place of the glory of the Lord visited in Christ Jesus.

The trade centers of the ancient world are listed in a kind of procession of glory, all converging with their wealth upon the feet of Jesus, center of the universe. Isaiah’s poetry does its work upon you as this new calendar year explodes with so much more than the passing fancy and fanfare of a New Year’s Eve party.

May the joy of the season be sustained in you, growing within you as you receive the Christ whom the world is summoned to adore.

Excerpt from the version for young people:
The flickering light of the Advent candle is contrasted with the fullness of the sun dawning on the hills of Jerusalem.  The joy of this season of God exploding into the world and manifesting divine life is just like the bright sun shining on the earth.  
It’s like a great family reunion—coming back to Jerusalem, center of glory and the special presence of God.  Join in with the crowds who are moving from all directions and meeting at Jerusalem with its bright sun beckoning everyone to come there, just as the star in the night invited the Wise Men to go and find the Christ Child. 

Isaiah 60

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Arise, shine: your light has come! v. 1

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 56 to 66..

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.