Praying with the aftermath of Christmas

By George Butterfield
Creighton University (retired)

Today, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. The One who said "Let there be light" appeared among us as the Light of the world. Isaiah could have been speaking about our world. Darkness covers the earth. Thick clouds cover the people. I know so many people who are gloomy. Some even appear to thrive on gloom and doom. They look at our world and see nothing but darkness. The world seems to have gone insane. We remember our childhood and wonder why everything can’t be like then when the world knew the difference between light and darkness. I constantly remind myself of the words of the author of Ecclesiastes who said, “Do not say: How is it that former times were better than these? For it is not out of wisdom that you ask about this” (Ecc. 7:10).

Although some periods of time are worse than others, darkness descended upon the world with the sin of our first parents. So, what are we to do? First, we receive baptism. In the Letter to the Hebrews, receiving baptism is to be enlightened. This is one of the more popular terms for baptism in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers. The Light came at Christmas, and we have received it. As Isaiah says, the world may dwell in darkness “but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory.” Second, by our simple lives as believers, others can walk by our light, by our shining radiance. Finally, when the fire of the Holy Spirit enlightens us, then we see the world differently, too. “Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow.” We don’t curse the darkness; we light a candle, or better yet, we live in the light of Christ, who is much greater than a candle.

The magi “saw his star at its rising … And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.” Brothers and sisters, you and I are that star. If we live in the light of Christ, there will be those who follow that light and discover the child. Of course, not all are interested in the light. Darkness can be quite comforting. Some will even be hostile to the light; Herod lives. Who could have imagined that the baby in the manger was the Light of the world? Let us let our light shine; it will lead people to the Light in that manger.

I leave you with the children’s song that we used to sing during Vacation Bible School.

“This little light of mine – I’m gonna let it shine.

“Let it shine all the time, let it shine.”

Let your light shine like the stars in the universe, dear friends. The Light of the world dwells in you. Let it shine. It will lead people to Jesus.