Glen Avon Presbyterian Church

“Arise, Shine; For Your Light Has Come”

Rev. Robyn Weaver

To us a child has been born. We have heard the story, sung the carols, and hopefully begun the New Year with renewed hearts. Now we recount the tales of Epiphany, a word which means “manifestation”. The great stories of wise men and others seeking the Child from far lands. We see the door open to all at the feet of this child. So there is room for we Gentiles at the manger. A way has been made for us to travel home. And this is a story for all people. Now we are to be the light to shine for our God.

How will we shine this year? How will we shine together? Perhaps we can take counsel and encouragement from the words of a poem by the Rev. Victoria Stafford.

“The Moment of Magic”

Now is the moment of magic,

when the whole, round earth turns again toward the sun.

and here's a blessing:

the days will be longer and brighter now,

even before the winter settles in to chill us.

Now is the moment of magic,

when people beaten down and broken,

with nothing left but misery and candles and their own clear voices,

kindle tiny lights and whisper secret music.

and here's a blessing:

the dark universe is suddenly illuminated by the lights of the menorah,

suddenly ablaze with the lights of the kinara,

and the whole world is glad and loud with winter singing.

Now is the moment of magic,

when an eastern star beckons the ignorant toward an unknown goal.

and here's a blessing:

they find nothing in the end but an ordinary baby,

born at midnight, born in poverty, and baby's cry, like bells ringing,

makes people wonder as they wander through their lives,

what human love might really look like,

sound like,

feel like.

Now is the moment of magic,

and here's a blessing:

we already possess all the gifts we need;

we've already received our presents:

ears to hear music,

eyes to behold lights,

hands to build true peace on earth

and to hold each other tight in love.