A Lamp for Today
A Lamp for Today
Understanding the Old Testament With Jesus and the Apostles
Join Edith Humphrey in reading Old Testament passages designed to bring to life the weekly Gospel and/or Epistle reading for the Divine Liturgy. The apostle Peter, speaking of these books, called them a “lamp,” confirmed in Christ, which we must heed until the very return of our Lord (2 Peter 1:19). Discover how the apostles and the New Testament writers followed the pattern of Jesus in their understanding of the “Holy Scriptures” of the early Church—the Law, the Prophets and the Writings.  See what happens as we “read backwards” from the New Testament to the Old, just as the evangelists do: here is a quest to see the continuity between the testaments that will both encourage and challenge. As Jesus opened the Old Testament to the two on Emmaus, their “hearts burned within them:” can we afford to ignore words that so powerfully witness to our Lord Christ, through which the Holy Spirit still speaks today?
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Friday, February 6, 2026
Light from the Old Testament Upon the Nativity 7: The Growth of God’s Son
This week, just following the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple, we read Luke 2:21-52, with the help of Isaiah 42-52, Hebrews 5, and several Church Fathers. What does it mean to talk about the obedience and growth of God Incarnate? How do these stories of Jesus’ childhood encourage and instruct us?
Friday, January 23, 2026
Light from the Old Testament Upon the Nativity 6: When the Days were Fulfilled
We read Luke 2:1-20, seeing the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s work among the Jewish people, the story of David, and the human story as a whole. God the creator cares about our world, about time and space, and comes to dwell with us in this fragile context. We are especially helped by fathers who marvel concerning Luke’s attention to detail, and God’s great compassion.
Friday, January 9, 2026
Light from the Old Testament Upon the Nativity 5: Rejoice, O Barren Woman!
Today we look at Luke 1:57-80, the story of John’s birth, circumcision, and the surrounding joy. We understand this deep passage in the light of Isaiah 54:1, Isaiah 9:2 and Psalm LXX 17/MT18:1-3.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Light from the Old Testament Upon the Nativity 4: The Blessed, the Humble, and the Mighty
In this episode, we read Luke 1:39-56, noting its link with Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 2, and David’s joy in the Ark’s homecoming in 2 Samuel 6. The blessing, humility, and perspective of the Theotokos on what constitutes true might is a perfect complement to our preparation for the Nativity.
Friday, December 12, 2025
Light from the Old Testament Upon the Nativity 3: Our Lord and His Cousin
This week we consider the annunciation of Jesus in Luke 1:26-38, noticing its parallels and contrasts with the announcement of John the Baptist’s coming, and understanding it through reference to some church Fathers, Gen 18, Ezekiel 8, Haggai 1, 2 Sam 7, and Isaiah 29:22. Luke uses his artistry and deep understanding of the Old Testament to show the link between the God-Man and his cousin John, and to put Jesus luminously in the spotlight.
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English Talk
Christ the Savior Orthodox Church - Chicago