Epiphany

Epiphany, which we celebrate on January 6, marking the beginning of the Epiphany season, is a day and season in which we emphasize light, or more specifically, Jesus, the light of the world. The Epiphany season lasts until the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, which is in February this year. As the beginning of John’s gospel tells us: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. In him was life and that life was the light of all humankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. And the Word became flesh and dwelled among us.

A few favored quotes might shed a little light on the subject:

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.  

~Chinese Proverb

Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe. It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished. 

~Michael Strassfeld  

The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light. 

 ~Felix Adler   

An age is called "dark," not because the light fails to shine but because people refuse to see it.  

~James Michener

Not only do you become what you think about, but the world also becomes what you think about. Those who think that the world is a dark place are blind to the light that might illuminate their lives. Those who see the light of the world view the dark spots as merely potential light.

~Wayne W. Dyer

Ring the bells that can still ring. Forget your perfect offering. There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.

~Leonard Cohen

Part of my daily prayer comes from the baptismal service: to “bear the light of Christ”. Like the prayer attributed to St. Frances (see BCP p. 833), "…where there is darkness, let us sow light," where do you see darkness and where light - in the world, in yourself? In reflecting the light of Jesus, in bearing the light of Christ, where someone is dehumanized, treat them as if they, just like you, are made in the image and likeness of God; treat them as if they are Christ, himself. Where there is the darkness of contempt, be the light of compassion. Where there is the darkness of isolation, be the light of companionship and community. Where there is the darkness of hate and cruelty, be the light of the love of Christ. On the day and in the season in which we emphasize Jesus, the light of the world, bear the light of Christ: the light that shines in the darkness that the darkness will not overcome.

 

Marc+