"No matter how terrifying the darkness may be for you at this moment, no matter what beasts lurk in the shadows and rage and seek to destroy it. The light has come, and the light that is in Jesus Christ is simply a love that no hatred, divisions or fear will ever be able to snuff out." (LCMS)
Meditation (LCMS):
http://blogs.lcms.org/2013/a-meditation-for-epiphany
"In the darkness, a light shines. Isaiah says that the light is the Lord and that it is His glory that arises and beckons nations and kings to Its rising. --- A people that had been huddling in the darkness and in fear, are suddenly drawn. --- God, the God who comes among us to shine His light in our darkness. --- Herod’s heart is dark, make no mistake about it. --- The darkness stirred in his wicked heart and the people’s hearts were darkened by fear of the mad man who was their ruler. --- And with hearts hopeful and still battling the dark they set out and there it was again: the mighty light, the star they had seen at its rising, shining through the darkness and leading their way until they saw at last its beams bathing one house in celestial light. --- Led by the light, they enter into a humble house and find another Light. Light brighter than any star. They see the Child in His mother Mary’s lap and they fall down before Him. They worship Him, this little Child, who is Light of Light and very God of very God made human flesh, --- Into the very heart of darkness, where the ruthless kill their rivals and where people of common sense fear the ruthless and tremble, into the darkness of hate and violence, fear and despair. In that darkness, a light had been kindled that would never go out. --- Saul the persecutor became Paul the humble apostle. He was given a mystery to proclaim: the light that shines in the darkness? It’s not a light for only this or that people, or this or that person. It’s a light for all — even those with hearts as dark as Herod or Saul of Tarsus. That light shines to make all together heirs of God, members of one body, partakers of this great promise. --- What is that promise? That the light has come. That the light shines in the darkness and the darkness could not, cannot and will not overcome it. No matter how terrifying the darkness may be for you at this moment, no matter what beasts lurk in the shadows and rage and seek to destroy it. The light has come, and the light that is in Jesus Christ is simply a love that no hatred, divisions or fear will ever be able to snuff out. --- Here is the mystery of the Church! As through a door open from heaven (Revelation 4!), her light streams out into the dark and cold night of this world and shows the lost the way home.
So the Church shines the light of eternity, the light that is her secret joy and inner life, the light that is fellowship with God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit into the darkness. That light summons all to arise and come home. It draws them.
Epiphany light — the light that is for all — the Christ who is Savior of all men.
The light who went into our deepest darkness, who knew our suffering, who cried our tears, who died our death in darkness upon His cross to forgive all our sin. He is the light that could not be snuffed out. Risen, glorified, seated at His Father’s right hand, the very promise that light triumphs and that the love of the age to come will be the final word in this world."
(see the link for the whole text)
James 1:17 (ESV) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
"In the bleak midwinter" (Chanticleer):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjRXIiZ8bs0
"In the bleak midwinter" (Tine Thing Helseth):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8WGlhJKlGo
Ps. 132:12 "så är inte mörkret mörkt för dig, natten skall lysa som dagen och mörkret vara som ljuset."
Jak. 1:17 (parallell) "Allt det goda vi får och varje fullkomlig gåva är från ovan och kommer ner från ljusens Fader, hos vilken ingen förändring sker och ingen växling mellan ljus och mörker."
"Guds goda vilja mot oss ger ett förnöjsamt, glatt och modigt hjärta, som har kvar sin tröst och glädje också då, när det går oss illa. Också de kära änglarna vill ge oss ett sådant hjärta och de önskar det genom sin sång." (Ur: "Glimtar av nåd", på vandring med Luther s.102)
"Her kommer dine arme små" (Carola)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xqOM6z9gSQ
"Thy little ones, dear Lord, are we" (Luther College)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP53KoPai10
Photo: familjen Lindén
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