Monday, January 8, 2007

How Does the Light Shine On?

Epiphany has begun, which among other things means that we have "undecorated" the church. "Christmas," in other words, "is over." There is always a melancholy gloominess to that effort. We have enjoyed the lights in the trees and garlands and the room without them seems dimmer. But like department store promotions, time moves on. "The light shines on in the dark, and the darkness has not overcome it," but what the darkness can't accomplish, a change of season seems to effortlessly manage. Still, some glimmering remains.

Epiphany is a strange confluence of biblical themes -- like the varied rivulets that cut their way through the rural landscape of disparate parts of Iowa, finding common stream in the Des Moines River which animates my adopted hometown. In Epiphany there is the story of Jesus' baptism (a river story of its own); there is the heady, puzzling story of Jesus' transfiguration; but at the beginning of it all is the visit of the Magi and their pursuit of the light they have discerned. Whatever else that light might have been, it presumably struck these wise ones as representing something compelling to seek after.

So there, again, is the light. What for the Magi was a guide, and in the baptismal and Transfiguration stories a dawning comprehension is, throughout them all, a transforming illumination. The purpose of light,come to think of it, is not to look at -- not something merely to gaze into or enjoy -- but to see by.

"To see by." Indeed, then, the light does shine on in my mind and my soul, even after the mini-lighted decorations are put away, for in the light of this coming, I simply am not able to see the life around me the same again.


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1 comment:

Danny Bradfield said...

One of my favorite theologians, Justo Gonzalez, wrote something to the effect of "If Gods's Word is a lamp unto our feet & a light unto our path," then we need to keep our eyes focused not on the light, but on the path. Keep staring at the light, and you'll be blinded.

I'm glad I found your blog (and that you found mine). I love your previous post about weddings & funerals, too. Very true!