Arise! Shine!

 3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. ⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ¹¹ according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Ephesians 3: 1-12

“Arise, shine – your light has come!”

At the start of a new year, these are the words I need to hear. As I grow older, resolutions mean less to me while a general “refresh” means so much more.

I think back on 2019 and all that it included. For most of us, it had ups and downs – some greater than others. I don’t know about you, but at the close of the year, I found that I leaned into Advent with extra focus and energy -- seeking something more. I sought hope and light. I sought rest and peace. I sought joy and love. I sought Christ in the midst of a blurry, fast paced, and weary world.

And Christ did come, even when there wasn’t much space on the calendar.
Christ came, even when the noise drowned out his cries.
Christ came, even when the news cameras pointed elsewhere.
Christ came, even when his wearied mother found herself crying on the dirty ground.
Christ came, even when he wasn’t welcomed.

Christ came, because goodness gracious – we needed him. We still need him.
This morning, as the excitement of the new baby fades away and as Mary sighs with exhaustion -

This morning, as the final visitors push through the crowd of those leaving…

This morning, as Joseph tries to understand his new role as father -
This morning, as we move beyond the holidays and pack away the decorations
refocusing on the to do lists and meetings…
“Arise, shine – your light has come!”

The light has come on our trees and our houses – offering joy at the end of a long year.

The light has come in the flashes of cameras – capturing moments of love with family and friends.
The light has come in a luminary – shining on the path as we approached.
The light has come in a lifted candle – bringing peace to the sounds of “Silent Night”.
The light has come in a wailing baby – bringing new life to all who listen.

The light has come in a star shining in the distance – guiding people from every corner and place in life to a single place of hope, love, joy, and peace.

 

 “Lift up your eyes and look around you!”

This is our new call. This is our new challenge.
Take a moment to look away from the growing list and filling calendar
Take a moment to look into the eyes of those around you
Take IN the moment
Take in the people
Take in the space
Take in the sounds
Take in the light.

 Something is happening. Something is changing. Something is refreshing.

We are a part of it.

In a nation divided
In families exhausted
In offices rushing
In a world breaking

We are a part of this new thing.
We are a part of this new child.
We are a part of this eternal mystery.

We are a part of the light which is still shining.
We are a part of the Christ child who is still coming.

We receive a promise in this new life -
a promise of grace
a promise of love
a promise of forgiveness
a promise of mercy
a promise of truth
a promise of justice
a promise of life with God.

In this light
in this child -
God has a plan for us.

Are we ready to hear it?
Are we ready to receive it?
Are we ready to enact it?

Are we ready to BE THE LIGHT?

Mirroring the intentional reflection and prayer we have carried through the season of Advent?

Are we ready to step out into the darkness
bringing this new light as part of the one Body of Christ?
Are we ready to shine Christ’s light not just on our path
but on the path of those who walk beside us?

This is the mystery of the star which shone it’s own light over Bethlehem –

That it brought people from all over
out of the dark
out of the struggle
across deserts
through fields
over mountains.

The star shone for all to see

so they might know that something was changing.

The star shone through generations
through the lives of those who followed.

The star still shines today
calling to us
summoning us
guiding us.

Just as the shepherds and magi followed

Just as Paul followed
Just as church leaders and lay people
servants and rulers
the lost and the found
all followed –

We follow that star, we seek that light – we are that light.

What does that look like?
What does that sound like?

Will walls come down?
Will voices be heard?

Will cries be comforted?
Will members of the Body find safety?
Love, peace, hope and joy?
Christ?

Will we shine Christ’s light for all?
or will a shadow be cast over those we do not see,
over those we ignore?
Will our voices be raised in praise
or will the world reverberate with discontent?

Arise, shine! Your light has come!
Lift your eyes and look around you!
Together, we are one –
together, there is no shadow but only light –

Together, we are that light – we are the Body.

Together, Christ will continue to be seen and heard
beyond the Christmas season
beyond the church walls
beyond the Christian nations

Christ’s light – Christ’s love – Christ’s grace
will illumine all of God’s creation.

Standing together, embodying the light - the mystery will be clear and God’s wisdom will be made known.
God’s purpose will be accomplished.

Arise, shine! Your light has come!
Lift your eyes and look around you!

May it be so today and always, Amen.