Pastor's Monthly Message
A Light in Our Darkness
The longest night of the year has passed, but while the light is increasing, it is incrementally small and we can easily feel that the darkness outside is dominating the light. By the third day of January, the hangovers have arrived. Not necessarily the consequence self-inflicted suffering on New Year’s Eve, but also the financial hangovers of our irrational exuberance of Christmas Spending. Soon the darkness of January bills will be casting a pall over many homes. Add to all this the darkness of illness and injury, sorrow and loss, and even in this season of increasing light there is plenty of darkness, pain and anxiety to go around.
Still, the promise of hope comes to us these days, not in the form of an infant as on Christmas Eve but in the form of light. This is our time to celebrate the pure radiant light that cuts through the darkness of this world and shines into shadow-filled lives. It is the light that shines through the love broken and poured in bread and wine. It is the light of the holy presence of Christ in times of confusion and despair. It is the light of grace and truth shining into lives young and old, rich and poor, broken and whole.
It is the light of Christ that sends people like John the Baptist into this world, one who dedicates their life to pointing others toward Jesus. We need people like John to point our eyes toward the light, undiminished by time, so that we can clearly see the promise of Jesus in our lives, our communities and our world.
This Little Light of Mine
January 5this The Feast of The Epiphany. This day and in the Sundays following we celebrate the in-breaking of God’s light. The readings help us understand that the manifestation of God is for all people everywhere.
This is a message of radical inclusively. The magi are drawn from the east to come to pay homage to the Christ child. They who were once far off are now embraced by the one true God, who has sent a Savior into the world. Likewise, Paul reports in Ephesians that he has been given grace to “bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8). Just as Isaiah had foretold, nations shall come to God’s light (Isa. 60:3).
In this inclusive reality, everyone is welcome, and so are their gifts. Just as the magi showed their respect for Christ with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we can offer our gifts and talents to further the brightness of God’s dawn. Whatever we bring—no matter how simple—is accepted and used for a mighty purpose.
There is also a sense of joy in this Epiphany Season. When the magi saw that the star they were following had stopped over the place where the Christ child lay, they were overwhelmed with joy (Matt. 2:10). The angel had declared to the shepherds that the newborn child would bring good news of great joy for all the people (Luke 2:10). Now again, Christ brings joy to all.
(Adapted from material in Sundays and Seasons)
Peace,
Pastor Andy