Reflections at Epiphany 2010

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

After 12 days of Christmas--the celebration, the let down, the memories, the exhaustion, the joys, the disappointments--I need Epiphany each year. The words of the prophet Isaiah (60:1-6) pierce my soul.

For darkness shall cover the earth,

and thick darkness the peoples;

Epiphany acknowledges the darkness of the world around us. For me, a  grandfather (in-law)in his last  days, the lack of will to start a new semester and get back into a new routine, a husband home sick in bed, the emotional exhaustion of the holiday season.

but the LORD will arise upon you,

and his glory will appear over you.

Yes, I need Epiphany each year. A reminder that above all our circumstances Christ’s birth arises as a light to the world.

Nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.

               A Light which draws the searching to its brightness. As kings and camels, children and infants              gather, they carry me with them.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and rejoice,

And I rejoice.

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,

the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

A multitude of camels shall cover you,

the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

May we all proclaim the praise of the Lord this day.