January 6, 2008 Epiphany of Our Lord

Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota

Pastor Gary E. Benson

 

“Focus the Light”

The words of Isaiah, this morning, are so full of energy: “Arise, shine, your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!”  It sounds as though we should stand up, cheer, and do some religious-type exercises.  Arise, shine!!

 

On the other hand, how many folks are simply trying to recuperate from the last six weeks? Many, I know, are physically, spiritually, and economically spent -- worn out.  Without question, that period from Thanksgiving through Christmas is, for the most part and meant to be, the greatest time.  No question about it, it is a time of activity and energy that can help our Spirit soar – as we hear and sing the Christmas carols, listen to the Christmas gospel, as we are surrounded by family/friends, flooded with memories – it is all glorious.  But now the activity is over, the stable is gone, the decorations are down. Do we hit a January slump?  

 

The potential for this post-Christmas slump is precisely why the strong words of Isaiah are so wonderful.  In them we are reminded that these past days/weeks didn’t simply mark a moment in history 2,000 years ago. Rather because of them today, as we hear the proclamation and invitation to “arise, shine,” we are invited to launch into new days, a new year, and new challenges with the certainty, “Emmanuel, God is with us.”  But how do we go about such living?

 

Consider the Wisemen of our gospel lesson.  We are familiar with their story.  Having heard about this child born King of the Jews, they sought him out; they followed the light of the star to the stable in Bethlehem.  When they found Jesus, they were overwhelmed with joy, presented their gifts and went intentionally in a direction that would allow them to continue telling the story. In other words, after seeing and celebrating Jesus, they didn’t slump, they soared. Arise, shine!

 

Today, on this first Sunday in 2008, having celebrated Christmas weeks ago, are we focused, empowered and enlightened to celebrate, go, and tell the story through our worship, witness, and service? Or again, have we hit a spiritual slump, and if so, what shall/can we do?  Let me tell you a story.

 

For 39 years on Christmas Eve we have been privileged (thanks to the Mansour family) to share in a live nativity with the wonderful garments from Bethlehem.  Each year Holy Families are sought out, along with Wisemen / Wiseones, Shepherds – and also a person to run the spot light from the balcony.  This year during the practice, the lights were dim in the sanctuary. I was watching the Holy Family come in first, then the Wisemen. I thought, “What is going on – the spot light isn’t on?”  “Intern Doug,” I thought, “what are you doing/or not doing?”  I rushed up the steps to try to micromanage Doug to find out that our spotlight (antique) didn’t/doesn’t have a lens that focuses the light. Therefore, the light is diffused and diminished as it just shines seemingly in many directions. It doesn’t really make much difference!

 

I believe there is an analogy there. If we don’t have a spiritual focus (Word/ worship/ sacrament/prayer), how are we going to clearly see, follow, and grow in Christ?  There is, no doubt, faith in Christ cannot flourish without focus. It will flounder, slump and become swallowed up or blended into worldly distractions and attractions all around.

           

Again, the Wisemen, were focused, had a goal (dream/scheme/on the beam). They traveled with determination to the Christ child, were blessed by the journey, and moved into their future with determination. 

 

I ask the question today: Are you, are we as individuals and as a congregation, determined to have a clear focus and with determination bring/reflect the light of Christ in 2008? Such faith focus is not automatic, it is intentional. It is not casual, it is about commitment to the disciplines of faith.

·         I have witnessed that focus, commitment, discipline through ZLC.

·         Consider our choir. What they are about is not casual, automatic. It is intentional and commitment, focus, determination, goals lead to notes/sounds becoming music, sharing a sacred witness. (arise, shine)

·         Last summer – mission support: We had a focused goal to get Rushford Lutheran kitchen stoves following the flood.  With heart, spirit, faith, you locked in, focused, and you let go -- sharing the blessing of prayers and financial resources.  (arise, shine)

·         Missionary Pastor Eric/Christie could be easily overwhelmed by challenges in Tokyo.

o        Living in a culture foreign to them/sharing the message of the Gospel foreign to listeners

o        Yet Pastor Eric has a goal, focus – learn Japanese; by Easter share a Good News with

      Children in Japanese

o        He will succeed not simply because his heart is in it, but because the Holy Spirit is in it.

      The God who began a good work (arise, shine) let the light of Christ shine.

 

The Wisemen didn’t reach their goal because they ran off in all directions, nor did they celebrate an epiphany, a revelation, that “ah ha” moment because they were timid.  They gave glory and witness to the Christ Child as the result pf being focused, determined, committed. Furthermore, reaching their goal, the stable, celebrating the Christ Child didn’t cause a slump, they soared!  Seeing the Christ Child wasn’t the end, it was a renewed beginning!

 

The Word of God says to us today “arise, shine!” Don’t slump, soar! The glory and light of the Lord is around us, within us, and before us! Let us focus faithfully the light of Christ through all that we are today -- and as we move into our futures.