When the Light Shines (Rev. Andy Whitaker Smith)
“In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship Evil’s Might, beware my power….Green Lantern’s light.”
That’s the Green lantern oath, like their Affirmation of Faith. Each Green Lantern hero is given a ring of power which lets them create whatever they can imagine: the stronger the will, the stronger the light; so that they can, first and foremost, shine light on evil which thrives in darkness.
Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world, primarily commemorating the visit of the Magi (wise men) to the infant Jesus, marking his revelation to the Gentiles. It’s all about the light of God, shining in Jesus Christ, and the star which led the Magi to Christ.
2026: How far can our light shine?
Why do we shine light? Because we want to see. What is it we want to see? What is it we want God to show us? What does God want to show us, and what if those things are not the same…?
This isn’t necessarily about what we want vs. what God wants….but that can be part of it. There can be a difference between having the idea of where we’re going, and asking God to light the way—light our way—essentially blessing/stamping what it is we’ve already decided, instead of looking for God’s light, and following where it leads.
We’re definitely a planning church. We take our responsibility seriously of making sure we’ve put plans together, gathered the right information, and come up with a conclusion or decision we and others can count on.
So are we willing to go where that light leads….even if we’re not sure where it’s going? Are we willing to discover what that light reveals, especially if it’s not what we expected?
Are we willing to accept the light God offers….as a gift….?
We all know the reasons people say they don’t want to come to church. “The roof would fall in if I showed up…” If we know some of the one giving us that response, we may also know there’s more….
The Bear—Season 1: Trying to survive keeping a restaurant open. Season 2: working toward re-opening, accomplishing the goal, and everyone saying: “this was so beautiful.”
Jamie Lee Curtis plays the Mom, who’s not the best mom, and doesn’t know how to celebrate with her kids. And she tells someone the saddest answer ever given: “I don’t deserve to see how good this is.”
Perhaps toward the church, the answer would be: I don’t deserve to see God’s light.
And that’s the miracle—the gift—of Christmas…and this is the message that we need to share as a church: God does not give the light because we deserve it. God gives the light because God wants us to know that we are loved.
I want us to be a church that when we hear someone say: “I don’t deserve to be loved,” our response with everything we are: “Yes, you do.”
For thus says the lord: sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “save, o lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back; i will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path where they shall not stumble, for i have become a father to Israel. Jeremiah 31
Jer 31:9–With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back.
How many stories are there in scripture about people being led back—the Exodus, the Exile, the Prodigal Son, the Woman at the Well, the Disciple Thomas. Jacob….
This passage of Jeremiah refers to Jacob—part of Jacob’s story is running: running from his brother, running from his family, running from God….until God wrestles him down and says: what is your name? And in a Kairos moment….Jacob stops running. To reveal one’s name is to reveal everything…. “My name is Jacob.”
Maybe the Epiphany is finally believing God wants us to receive this light.
Light of the Star guides Magi, who come from the East. The area, region, and history of the East includes Babylon and Persia: places and empires which oppressed and enslaved Jesus’ people.
But now, residents of those lands see a new light, which they follow to God incarnate….who welcomes them.
And as the story says: “They knelt down and paid him homage, and offered him gifts. And then, being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went by another road.”
They followed God’s light, which led them on a new path, and away from a king who wished to extinguish that light.
Because as followers of Christ, we do not follow kings who use their power for their own benefit.
When God shines the light….are we willing to see it? Are we willing to claim it?
Are we willing to step in….and receive what is good?
Are we willing to come to the table?
Are we willing to follow the light, wherever it leads? Are we willing to respond to whatever the light reveals? Are we willing to receive the light, and let it shine on us? And are we willing to share the light with the world?