Our Old Testament Scripture Reading for Epiphany Sunday was from Isaiah (60:1-9). Isaiah found hope in a shining light that attracted others. It even mentions the bringing of gifts which is what happened on the day we celebrate Epiphany. The light shone and attracted the Gentile Magi (Wise Men). If you are reading this as a first-century Jew, it is quite a statement that elite members of Persian society would come to worship the King of Israel born in a manger (Matthew 2:1-12). We find ourselves with Gentile Magi paying homage to this Jewish Messiah. We who are Gentiles have brought into a relationship with the God of Israel through Jesus Christ. Paul calls it a revealed mystery and this mystery began to be revealed when the Magi saw the star worshiped the newborn Jewish King, the King of Israel (Ephesians 3:1-12). Yet is this the end of the mystery, or is it the beginning of an even bigger mystery?

May we be like John the Baptist: Bearing witness to the light of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ (John 1:6-9). Perhaps we fail to recognize that all we can do is plant the seeds of God’s love through our actions in obedience to Jesus Christ. The Good News is not about us; it is not about me; it is about Jesus Christ.

We are sent into the world full of darkness to bear witness to the light of Jesus Christ. We do this not in competition with one other or by focusing upon “me.” Rather we work together and focus upon Jesus Christ. God works with us to develop and manifest God’s light in the world.

Compared to the long span of history we have noticeably short life spans, yet we have a faith in a God who brought time and space into existence. A God who is not confined to time and space as we understand it (Isaiah 40:6-8). God is eternally faithful, and destruction is not the last word.

God renews creation in righteousness (2 Peter 3:8-15). Thankfully, God is merciful and claims us and works with us until the Lord returns. I am glad the Lord is merciful and gives us space and time.  Advent is a special time of the Christian year “that urges us to let the Holy Spirit catch our attention and purify us so that there is room for Christ to be born within us and among us” (Abingdon Women’s Preaching Annual, alt). Someday, the Lord will return and when it happens will you be working hard at it to make the world a better place today?