Isaiah - born 765 BC

The days before Christmas evoke the memory of God’s prophets. The prophet was God’s friend, chosen to interpret God’s word now, to tell how to live in the present world. Because the truth is sometimes bitter and hard to take, the prophets were misunderstood and rejected. Despite all the harsh realities and disasters of the times, the prophets held high the candle of hope, of God’ mercy, love, and forgiveness .

Isaiah gave dire warnings because God’s people had become over-rich and were exploiting the helpless and poor. God says –not fair .That’s the bad news. The good news is that God never forgets his sinful people.’You will return from your prison and exile, so rejoice, take off your dress of sorrow, put on the beauty of the glory of God, and put a crown of glory on your head. Now God brings you back, back like royal princes. There is joy in the light of God’ mercy’.