Epiphany Light
The Light shines in the darkness;
and the darkness comprehends it not.
– John 1:5 –
The astounding thing about darkness is that it is merely the absence of light. Wherever darkness might be "found," it only bears witness to where light is not. In other words: darkness has no substance. Light, on the other hand, has substance. It is a real "thing." And this is so for the simple and glorious reason that Jesus is Light. He is the Light of the world for He is the Light and glory of God. John the Seer paints this picture well in his Apocalypse when he says that the new city will no longer have a sun "for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Rev 21:23) The season of Epiphany is the season of the Light of Christ making its way into our darkened world.
Still, darkness remains, in a sense. John the Gospeller tells us that the Light (who is Christ) shines in the darkness. This means there are still places where the Light of Christ has yet to shine. One of the primary ways He shines in the darkened corners of our world is through you. You are little Christ-lamps; little Christ-ians. We enact this during our Christmas Eve service when our small little candles are lit with the flame from the Christ candle. And what do these little candles and little lamps do? They simply do what the Light is: burn brightly, give off warmth, and push back the edges of darkness. They accomplish this work by simply being what they are: Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27)
If you find yourself, however, as a faintly burning wick, your lamp seeming to sputter and fade, be of courage. For Jesus will brook no extinguishing of any wick, however faintly it might burn. (Is 42) Rather, since He is gifted with the Spirit of God, He pours the oil of heaven into you, His little oil lamp. He sets you ablaze once more with the Fire of heaven, the Holy Spirit. As is so often–it is more likely always–the case with God, He is the giver of gifts, which makes us the recipients of His very good gifts. O lights of Christ, be refreshed by Jesus who is your Light and Life. Be renewed by Him through Holy Scripture, prayer, acts of mercy, and worship with the Church. Embrace His promises, for they are heavenly gifts.
The Light shines in the darkness; and the darkness comprehends it not. Jesus who is our Light has defeated the darkness. Let us then burn brightly with the hope of heaven, for the encouragement of our souls and for the blessing of others.
Grace & Peace