Let Your Light Shine

Welcome to the season of Epiphany! It is defined as a revelation of Christ to the world. As the Wise Men followed a star, the brightest light they could see to see the infant Jesus. Christ is a light for the people, just as the star that was followed to lead them to his arrival. We discussed this in Sunday School last weekend as the children made paper candles at the beginning of Epiphany. I have a collection of them in my office they gave me, which I love! I shared some with people in the church office and we all thought they were so cute. It got me thinking of Epiphany and what it means.

With the candles comes one of my favorite church songs as a child, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”. You can almost hear little children singing this in your head as you read it. Even the lyrics to the song no matter what age you are when you sing it makes you feel as though anything is possible. The more we share our light with others, the more we begin to see it in our world. Our light can shine beyond problems, hardships, grief, and troubled times because as we shine ours, the more we begin to see it in others.

Many also choose to write a blessing on the doorway to their home like 20CMB26, the year separated by the initials of the Wise Men: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. Another meaning is Latin, “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”, meaning “May Christ bless this dwelling.” Our homes are often a place of calm and respite. It is an honor to welcome others with our light into our Christ blessed homes. We welcome all of those looking for light and shining their own.

Our world right now sometimes feels uncertain and unsteady. We need lights more than ever. Never forget the power of shining your light, it may be the only brightness in someone’s day. As the Episcopal Church website says, “O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by Faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, Now and Forever. Amen”.