‘’When they (the wise men) heard the king, they set out; and there ahead of them went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.’’ Matthew 2: 9-10

We are still in the season of Epiphany and mid-winter, when the hours of darkness outnumber the hours of daylight. Although we are accustomed to this in our northern climate, many people find it oppressive, depressing and long for the spring. In our society we have come to depend on artificial light, as illustrated by power cuts (relatively rare these day) which leave the less organised of us fumbling in the dark for candles and matches. Mental health problems, loneliness and poverty are more prevalent during this season, compounded during the past two years by a spike in Covid numbers during the winter months.

Against this background the Epiphany story is a beacon of hope and light. The rising of the star which symbolised the birth of Jesus as the light of the world took the wise men on a long and arduous journey from a far-off land (for Jesus was to be revealed to all nations) to the place where the child lay. How wonderful that they were overwhelmed with joy. They were aware, perhaps instinctively as well as from their studies, of the symbolism and world - transforming significance of this star.

In our polluted atmosphere the stars do not shine as brightly in the night sky as when I was a child. Some years ago I was on holiday in South Africa. During a night safari, in a relatively unpolluted corner of the globe,  the stars shone with a dazzling intensity. I recaptured the sense of wonder which I experienced as a child. I imagine the star which led the wise men to Jesus as standing out among other stars in its brilliance. It led them to Jesus. What star leads us to God? Jesus himself, who is the light of the world. We are shown the way to him through the Bible, described as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). God’s love and our path are revealed to us, how to discover joy, peace and purpose through following Jesus, our star. He guides us through our life as the star guided the magi on their journey. As he himself says ‘’I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’’ (John 8:12) We in turn, as followers of Jesus, are called to become stars of light to others, pointing the way to Jesus: ‘’let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’’ )Matthew 5:14-16.

References to light abound in the Bible, from the creation story in Genesis, where God said ‘’let there be light’’ and ‘’God saw the light, that it was good’’ to Revelation where we hear in that beautiful portrayal of the afterlife that in the new Jerusalem there will be no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God will lighten it. Light is always symbolic of something good and positive in the Bible, darkness the opposite. Light leads to growth, darkness to death. Throughout the Bible light is variously identified or expressed as righteousness, truth, faith, hope and love. We need the light of Christ for our own growth, we need light to shine in the darkness so that we can see the hidden shortcomings which hinder our transformation, we need the light of Christ to witness to others, we need to walk in light to grow in grace.

Some interesting Christian quotes about light:

‘’Be the light that helps others see’’

‘’If you want to give light to others you have to glow yourself’’

‘’Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness’’

‘’To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust him in the dark, that’s faith’’ (Charles Spurgeon)

A prayer:

Dear Lord,

May I become a stronger and brighter light for your glory. Wash me clean of all darkness. Take me into the light of your glorious presence and radiate all darkness out of my being, in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Mrs Dorothy Jameson