Arise, Shine
"For your light has come"
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
To discouraged people in a ruined Jerusalem, God said, "Arise, shine, for your light has come." Darkness covers the earth, but the glory of the LORD rises over his people like the sun. Nations and kings will come to that light, bringing gold and frankincense and singing God's praises.
Where it is in the Bible: Isaiah 60:1-6
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Arise, Shine | 60:1-2 | God's light rises over his people |
| 2. Nations Will Come | 60:3-4 | People come from far away to the light |
| 3. Gold and Frankincense | 60:5-6 | Treasures and praise arrive |
Before You Read
Who it's for. These words speak to Jerusalem after the exile. God's people had come home from Babylon, but the city was still poor and broken. Many readers think chapters 56 to 66 of Isaiah were spoken in this time.
What was happening. The people were discouraged. Their city wasn't what it used to be. They wondered if God's great promises would ever come true.
What this passage is. A wake-up call full of light. God speaks to the city as if it were a woman sitting in the dark, and tells her to get up.
How to read it. Christians read this on Epiphany, the day the church remembers the wise men coming to Jesus. Watch for gold and frankincense.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 3Arise, Shine
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you" (60:1).
Arise means get up. God is speaking to his discouraged people.
The light isn't their own. It is the glory of the LORD, rising over them like the sun.
"For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you" (60:2).
The whole world is dark. But God's light shines on his people.
Section 2 of 3Nations Will Come
"Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn" (60:3).
The light is not just for God's people. It draws in people from every nation.
God tells the city to look up and see. Her sons and daughters are coming home from far away.
Section 3 of 3Gold and Frankincense
"Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy" (60:5). Radiant means glowing with joy.
The riches of the nations will come. Long lines of camels will arrive.
They will bring "gold and frankincense" (60:6). Frankincense is a sweet-smelling resin burned in worship.
And they will be "proclaiming the praises of the LORD" (60:6).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Arise, shine" (60:1) | Get up. God's light has come for you. |
| "Your light has come" (60:1) | The light is a gift from God, not something people make. |
| "Darkness covers the earth" (60:2) | The world is dark without God. |
| "Nations will come to your light" (60:3) | God's light is for everyone. |
| "Your heart will tremble and swell with joy" (60:5) | God's people will be amazed by what he does. |
| "Gold and frankincense" (60:6) | Gifts fit for a king, and for God. |
Back Then
Midian, Ephah, and Sheba were faraway lands. They were known for trade, camels, and riches, in Arabia and beyond.
Frankincense came from trees in southern Arabia and Africa. It was very valuable and used in temple worship (Exodus 30:34).
Epiphany means "showing." On January 6, the church celebrates God showing Jesus to the whole world, starting with the wise men.
Literal Reader Alert
Did the wise men come because of this prophecy? Matthew doesn't say they read Isaiah. But Christians have long seen their gifts as a sign that Isaiah's promise was coming true in Jesus.
Were there really three kings? The Bible says "wise men" brought three kinds of gifts. Tradition later called them three kings.
Is God's light only for one nation? No. Isaiah says nations and kings will come to it. God's light is for the whole world.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| God's people | Discouraged | They were sitting in the dark (60:1-2) |
| God's people | Radiant | They saw what God was doing (60:5) |
| The nations | Drawn in | They came to the light (60:3) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does "arise, shine" mean for you today? Tap one.
Get up
When you're discouraged, God's light has come for you.
It's dark
Darkness covers the earth. God's light still rises.
Share the light
Nations come to the light. Who could you invite?
Give to God
The wise men brought gifts. What could you offer?
You Might Have Heard
"You have to make your own light."
What's true: God gives us gifts to use and share.
What the passage is mainly about: The light isn't ours. "Your light has come" (60:1). It is God's glory rising over us. We shine because he shines on us.
Where Jesus is: Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). Wise men from far away came to him with gold and frankincense.
Good News
The world is dark. God's light has come.
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you" (60:1).
Jesus is that light, for every nation. You don't have to make your own light. He shines on you.
God's light has come. Jesus is the light for every nation, and he shines on you.
Big Idea
Arise, shine, for your light has come. God's light rises over his people and draws every nation to him.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther preached on Epiphany that the wise men show how the gospel goes out to all peoples. People who were far away from God are brought near by the light of Christ.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Isaiah 60:1-6 on the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6, in all three years, next to the story of the wise men.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Arise, Shine, explained in plain words. God's light rises over his people, and nations come bearing gold and frankincense. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/arise-shine/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church