Light. Sunrises. A new day. A new start.
So much promise. And now, a new year with so much promise. Since my multiple cancer diagnoses, I give thanks for each day I have. Oh, and before I forget, 'Merry Christmas'. Yes, we are almost done with Christmas and as I write this I am aware that the 12 days are fast running out. However, I will miss the joy and educational opportunities it affords to work outside the usual cultural norms of Christmas being over on Boxing Day.
I have been pondering light in two entirely different directions. Here, we celebrate Epiphany (the light breaking into our lives that is Jesus) shortly after longest night. On the other hand, for our Christian sisters and brothers who live in the Southern Hemisphere, Epiphany is set just after the longest day. And those living near the equator never have much of either.
Indeed though, we all share one king of light. That of the stars and the cosmos. The physical light that comes from them and the sun's light reflected off the moon, appear daily; and for all. And then there is the spiritual light. Those 'aha' moments when deeper understanding and clarity appear. We all get those too.
Now, Genesis 1 gives us light. Notice how it is refined by the time we get to verse 14 and following. And God uses that refinement to achieve his ends in Matthew 2. Here he continues to use outside people to witness to the things he has done. The wise men are not of the Jewish faith. Just as King Nebchadnezzer in 2 Kings 24; Naaman in 2 Kings 5 and the Ethiopian treasurer in Acts 8 all do the will of the Lord also. And I have more to say on that in another blog.
So, are you watching for light? And where do you find epiphanies breaking in? I close with Romans 8:19 ''For creation waits for eager longing for the revealing of the children of God." Pr. Scott
