By Pastor Don Schatz

Light in the Darkness

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“… because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79 (2016). English Standard Version

I know that I am mixing images today.  So I ask your forbearance.  Today is Epiphany, the day we celebrate the Magi and their visit to Jesus.  They brought gifts.  They worshiped.  They were led by a star.  Today’s picture is of a stage decorated with a backdrop of stars.  The Bible verses above are at the very end of Zechariah’s song in Luke, known as the Benedictus.  Instead of a star, Zechariah references the sunrise.

The Star of Epiphany pulled the Magi across the vast desert from the east.  It brought them to Bethlehem, to a house where they found Mary and the child Jesus.  The Star led them to the star of the story, the star of the Scripture, the star of God’s loving heart.  Jesus, the Light of the World.  Jesus, the Life of Humankind.  The shining stars and the rising sun remind us that Jesus continually rises in our souls, even if we are beset with darkness and the shadow of death.  These are expelled from our experience in Christ, who gives the light of hope and rescue and spiritual sustenance in all things.

Does something pull at you today?  More than one something?  Are you being pulled away from Jesus by worry, fear, heartbreak, sorrow, sin, desperation, loneliness?  Or something else?  If your answer is ‘yes,’ remember Jesus, the Light of your world.  With the Magi, kneel before him, in your hearts or for real, and worship.  Worship is the soul remembering the Light of the World, the Life of humankind, the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God, the promise of the soul’s repose in true peace.

Do you know his peace?  If your answer is ‘yes,’ rejoice and worship and offer your gifts of praise, with the Magi.  In these, and all things, be thankful.  The Star still leads.  The sunrise still visits us.  The Light that is Christ still illumines both our souls and our pathway.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado