Gifts and homage play big roles in the scripture readings this Sunday. Camels pour in bearing gold and spices with mysterious magician-astrologer-wise men from the East. They present their gifts and do homage. In this season of Christmas—and don’t forget the Christmas season goes on for another week—gift-giving and hospitality are front and center.

If you had to throw out every other prophet in the Bible but one, most people would enthusiastically save Isaiah. He’s the indispensible prophet: hopeful enough for Advent, sorrowful enough for Lent, triumphant enough for Easter, and challenging enough for Ordinary Time.

TARPON SPRINGS, Florida, northwest of Tampa, has the largest per capita concentration of Greek-Americans in the U.S. Around the turn of the last century its sponge-fishing industry attracted Greek immigrants to work as sponge-divers—some of whom would go down as many as 150 feet on one breath.

We want to walk not in darkness but in the light of God. We ask God to shed the light of forgiveness on us as we acknowledge our sins.

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. A divine light shines at the center of the message of today’s readings.

Looking for a fresh start at the beginning of a new year? How about renewing your vision? That isn’t something your ophthalmologist can do with laser surgery.

Small vessels may hold great gifts. —Saint Ephrem the Syrian (d. 373)