The Epiphany of the Lord

During these past weeks we may have heard and exchanged Christmas greetings – “Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas” so many times. Now that Christmas is over, we no longer use the same greetings. Certainly for many people such greetings are just empty expressions or just another formality like greeting someone, “Good morning” or “Hello”, or “How do you do?”
The prophet Isaiah reminds us that for Christians, Christmas is more than a time of celebration or mere exchange of greetings. It reminds us of Jesus’ birth. But today Isaiah is calling upon us to “rise up” and “see” the Light that is shining upon us. He wants us to notice where the light rests. He tells us of “the darkness covering the earth, and thick clouds covering the people”. Surely, he is not referring to the physical darkness but rather the darkness of sin and unbelief around us. Many are blinded by sin and unbelief. They choose to be in darkness and are unwilling to be in the light. But Isaiah tells us that because we have come to see and believe in the light, we are no longer in spiritual darkness. He reminds us that this Light which dispels the great darkness of sin and unbelief has come, and He shines upon us.
It is said, when your life is in darkness, pray to God and ask him to free you from darkness… Even after you have prayed, if you are still in darkness – please pay the electricity bill. The quote serves as a strong warning to all of us. If we choose to walk in darkness we will bring disasters upon ourselves through nobody’s but our own fault, foolishness.
There is much in our world that encourages us to stay in darkness. There is so much violence, hatred, greed, envy and selfishness around us. But we gather here every day, week after week, because we know upon whom the light has fallen, and we know the rewards for being in the light and following the light. If you have seen and experience the light, then, hold on firmly to what you believe in the light and reflect the light upon others. If you are one of those just out of darkness, like the wise men from the east, then, watch out that the light in you does not go out (Luke 11:35). If you are still in complete darkness then allow the light to enter; it will overtake the darkness. Let us build our lives around his teaching and look to him for guidance each day so we may truly experience the Peace, Joy and Love that God has promised to those who believe in him.