“Light shines in the darkness for the upright.” Psalm 112:4
Dear Redeemer Family:
One of the meanings for epiphany is light. And we are in the Season of Epiphany where we often put an emphasis, and talk, about light. As I write this, we can use some light. We are presently experiencing the severe storm of January 24th through 25th. It is gray outside, very cold, and snowing – with more to come. But there is an interesting side effect to snowstorms. When the clouds break, it will be very bright. There will be a lot of light. It will be one of the few times during the year that I will be wearing sunglasses when I drive my car. It can be almost blinding. There will be an abundance of light then.
There is also a benefit to this frigid, and I mean arctic frigid, weather. The extreme cold will stop all the viruses that people are now passing around thanks to all our visits and visitors from the holidays. People have shared more than just good wishes for the holidays. Germs were there as well. Right now, there are several hospitals in the area which are full, no spare beds. And the last that I heard, there are 4 or 5 viruses that are hard at work in this area. This tremendous cold snap will help with that. Sometimes the bad also has some good lasting effects.
We are in the Season of Epiphany. We celebrate the season of light, especially after bleak mid-winter blues. But later this month, we will enter the Season of Lent. For many, Lent is seen as a dark time. It isn’t. Indeed, the word “lent” comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word which means “spring.” For most of us spring is a bright season of the year. So should Lent be!
Remember that the last Sunday in Epiphany is the Day of the Transfiguration. God’s divine light shines out from Jesus, and his clothes become dazzling white. That light is more than sufficient to get us through to Easter. It is not just “the light at the end of the tunnel.” It is the very light of the tunnel. We are surrounded by light and the warmth of God’s presence all the time.
And so, as we prepare to enter into the Season of Lent this year, may it be a good and enlightening time for you all!
In Christ,
Pastor Rose