Have you ever noticed how much light is incorporated into music, poetry, seasons, and decorations?
Not only Christmas carols and songs incorporate the theme of light, everything from hymns, country to rock to rap include its qualities. There is something about light which we connect with and seem to understand.
Poetry uses light to draw us in and speak to our journey. Creating images and rhymes which stir our heart and give us hope.
The seasons in their ever-changing ways draw us into light, whether it is sunrises early in summer or late in winter, or the way the light strikes a field, or the varying colors of light which fill the spring.
And decorations for all holidays include light. Not only Christmas lights and stars, but garden lights for summer, fire works for July 1st, jack-o-lanterns at Halloween and light up Easter eggs.
We need light!!!
Pope Leo is his address for World Day of Peace just a mere four days ago, said: “The contrast between darkness and light is not only a biblical image describing the labor pains of a new world being born; it is also an experience that unsettles us and affects us amid the trials we face in our historical circumstances. In order to overcome the darkness, it is necessary to see the light and believe in it.” He added, “This is a call that Jesus’ disciples are invited to live in a unique and privileged way; yet it also finds its way into every human heart.” (how beautiful and powerful is his simple statement)
No wonder in the coming of God to earth in the birth of his son Jesus, the star gets a proper place of mention and its gifts called forth to shine, to lead, to point the way! Light calls us to life, to the ways of life, to encountering the Author of Life, who also shaped the stars. The scriptures we have heard today speak of light, because they are pointing to Jesus – the child born for us, to fill us with light and to be heralds of his light. As Pope Leo reminded us in overcoming darkness, we must “see light and believe in it.” Our Light is Jesus and we are his disciples shining for him.
Just like the magi of long ago, we too must follow the light of Jesus and then when we encounter it in moments grand and moments ordinary, we must declare what we see in the light and live in it. This is how we are disciples, to be bearers of light. To preach the gospel with our lives, to find ways to instill light in the darkness which our humanity often chooses to dwell in. To be like the nations coming to his light and the kings to his brightness, which the prophet Isaiah prophesized, we must continue to seek his star, to see his light in our living.
To see and be radiant, could be considered part of the description of being a disciple. The magi could be considered among the first disciples of Jesus. They encountered him at his most vulnerable moment in life and yet believed he was the Messiah. They offered him their gifts, their lives transformed and then returned to their homes transformed and living in his light. Is this not what this feast of Epiphany calls us to? To meet Jesus, see Jesus, encounter his light, let it transform us and then live from this transformed state as a disciple of his. St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians reminds us: “(Do everything without grumbling or arguing) you will shine… like the stars in the sky as you hold firm to the word of life.” (Philippians 2.14-15)
The Word of life, born in Bethlehem centuries ago and yet we still adore him.
The light of Jesus, shining into our life and we go forth carrying this light.
The child of Bethlehem, unknown to many and yet he is our light in the darkness.
The Author of life, born among us and for us and leading us home by his light.
May we arise and shine like the stars, for our light has come and is woven into our every heartbeat. May we be brave enough to travel unknown roads this year which lead us to Jesus in new ways so we will go forth on new paths to manifest his light. Jesus, the Light of lights is guiding us always in all ways from here to his kingdom home.
One of my favorite Christmas songs is Winter Star by Johnny Reid, it is a beautiful song for Epiphany. I invite you to listen to it this week.
Epiphany Blessings!
Photo Credit: Mitchell Luo
