Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Light

It seems kind of perfect to me that we will begin installing our new energy-efficient "green" lighting during the season of Epiphany. Epiphany means "manifestation" or "appearance" and--in the church calendar--refers to the Wise Men's arrival at the cradle of Christ, where they SAW the Messiah to whom they had been lead by the light of a star. But anytime we catch a glimpse of God at work in the world we have "epiphanies."

I mentioned in my sermon Sunday that the key word for the season of Epiphany is "LOOK!" What better way to celebrate the season than by installing lights that make it better for us to see by? Furthermore, the council's decision to obtain a no-interest loan from the synod to retrofit our lighting reflects (pun intended) our commitment to be better stewards of God's creation. The timing for the beginning of this project couldn't be better. On Saturday, Feb. 2, right at the end of Epiphany, after weeks and weeks of hearing about the Light of God, we will enhance our building's lighting. I know new light fixtures in our basement and gym are not exactly like the glorious symbols of the incarnation of Christ, but they work for me. They effectively remind me that we are turning toward light, turning toward the world that God so loves, that we are unafraid to turn toward something new.

At the end of the service of Baptism, we hand a candle to the newly baptized (or sponsor) and issue this call: "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Let that be our mandate in 2008, and may our building retrofitting project remind us of it regularly.

By the way, please invite all your friends and neighbors (especially those who know anything about electrical wiring) to join us on Feb. 2 from 9-noon to help in this endeavor!

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