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Tales of Fantasy, Mystery and Adventure Under the Influence of Christian Homeschooling

S. A. J. Lyttek, a multiple award-winning writer, always loved writing, but didn’t arrive at the profession in the typical manner. After college and graduate school, she plunged into government consulting. In this environment, she discovered a knack for writing tests, interviews and other measurements. That soon became the focus of her career—reigniting her love for the written word. Thus captivated, she spent evenings freelancing “fun” writing including short stories, poems, articles and cards. When her eldest was a toddler, she quit full-time work to stay home and write. Eager to spend more time with her children, homeschooling intrigued her. From preschool through high school, she homeschooled both sons while continuing to freelance. While an integral part of the homeschooling community, she developed and taught writing classes to a generation of homeschoolers. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Gary, Mrs. Lyttek loves to share her commitment to learners of all ages and her fascination with the written word.

 



Have An Isaiah Advent

12/4/2024 8:00:00 AM BY Susan Lyttek

Welcome to Advent!

I have always loved the two traditional church seasons of Advent and Lent. Both prepare you for the momentous events in Christian history. Advent prepares you for the idea of God coming to earth as a human being. Lent prepares you for the idea of God making the sacrifice you cannot and making a way to heaven.

I first fell in love with the book of Isaiah during one Advent. That year my dad announced that we were doing a family Advent study. I groaned and complained. I think I groaned and complained every night because that’s the kind of kid I was. But doing that study allowed the words of Isaiah to penetrate deep in my heart. And later, when I came to faith, they percolated back up and resonated with me. It is still my favorite book of all Scripture.

I just read that Isaiah is quoted more than any other book in the New Testament, except Psalms. (So, Psalms is number 1 and Isaiah is number 2.) But that is direct quotations. It is alluded to often as well.

Why is that?

Isaiah spends much of its pages talking about the Messiah, both in his first coming and his return. It also speaks to the role of Israel as God intended and the role they will eventually fulfill. As I have mentioned in other blog posts over the years, some scholars call it the summary of the Bible since it addresses all the themes. As the Bible has 66 books, Isaiah has 66 chapters. As the Bible has prophecy, poetry, and history, so does Isaiah.

And the main theme running throughout Isaiah is the same as the main theme of the Bible itself. Mankind is sinful and fallen. They cannot make things right between them and God. So, it is up to God himself to step into history and restore the connection, make a way. But it will be costly on His side and free on ours.

In Isaiah we learn a lot about the character and characteristics of Jesus. Within its pages, we learn that he is the Chosen of God, the Commander of God’s Army, the Covenant for the People, the Eternal Father, Wonderful Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Everlasting Light, the Light to the Nations, the Man of Suffering, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Redeemer, the Rock that makes men stumble, the Root of Jesse, the suffering Servant, and the Witness, to name a few of the titles it gives him. We also learn that he will lead nations to repentance, that he’s a light in the darkness, born of a virgin, of the house and lineage of David, will destroy death, and make the blind see and the deaf hear. That’s only the first five prophecies in my glossary from Isaiah.

What else does Isaiah have to tell us about Jesus’ first coming? He will heal the needy (Isaiah 35), care for his own like a shepherd (Isaiah 40), be flogged and spit upon (Isaiah 50), and crucified (hung upon a tree) with sinners (Isaiah 53). In fact, you can trace the majority of the passion week in chapter 53 of Isaiah.

Only yesterday I spoke again about my two favorite people from the birth of Jesus account in Luke: Anna and Simeon. And Simeon, based on his praise and prayer alone, was steeped in the words of the prophet Isaiah. Because of Isaiah, Simeon did not suffer from the preconceived notions about the Messiah that most of the Jews, particularly the pharisees, did at that time.

Knowing Isaiah kept Simeon’s focus in line with God’s. It allowed him to see truth. And I think it’s the best thing for us, even today, to keep Christmas in perspective.

Don’t get me wrong. I love and appreciate all of Scripture, but I truly believe that with one of the Gospels and the book of Isaiah, a person could learn everything they needed to know about Jesus. They would know why he came, what he did, and why he did it.

They would also know that he is coming again one day.