Across the Pastor’s Desk by Monrad Mandsager

Late autumn into December, the days get shorter as the northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun in its elliptical journey around the sun. Light glances off our 23.5 degree tilt and strikes the southern hemisphere more directly, leaving us in winter, beginning Dec. 21, and them in summer. When we lived in Brazil as missionaries it was different for us to celebrate Christmas at the beginning of summer.

When I was younger I used to enjoy winter: doing chores, digging tunnels in snow banks, ice-skating, even shoveling the snow was fun. Now it chills me to my very bones, and I don’t like winter much anymore.

It seems to last forever. However, the very day winter begins on the 21st, there is a note of hope and anticipation! We have begun our journey back around the sun, and the days slowly begin to lengthen once again. Though you may not feel it yet, more light and heat are coming slowly but surely. Spring is on the way! So take heart.

We would very soon die physically should darkness envelop our Earth. Psychologically, emotionally and spiritually we need light and warmth as well. We need the love, kindness and friendship of one another.

That lights up our lives, especially when we return the same to others. It’s like spring coming into our lives. Life’s winters are overcome by the light and warmth of love. The Psalmist describes such people as those who rise in the darkness as a light to one-another. Psalms 112 can be paraphrased as “They are gracious, merciful, and righteous (doing what is right and good). They are generous and manifest concern for one-another. They distribute freely and give to the poor and their righteousness remains steadfast.”

Centering our lives in selfish ambition, neglecting the poor, the hungry and suffering falls far short of God’s intentions and call for us. We need the light and love of Jesus to shine upon us and within us. The Psalmist joyfully acknowledges that “With you, O God is the fountain of life, in your light do we see light.” “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” We need not stumble in darkness.”

In Psalms 107 we can see that we create our own darkness and misery without God. “Some sat in darkness and gloom, prisoners in misery and in irons, for they have rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Their heads were bowed down as with hard labor, they fell down with no one to save them from their distress. Then they cried to God in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. For he shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron.”

Could it be said more clearly God’s desire and power to set us free and save us in our distress? Three times in Psalms 80 it says, “Restore us, O God, let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” That’s what it takes to save us! We cannot save ourselves. God’s face of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and salvation has power to save us. “Whoever calls upon the Lord for salvation and mercy shall be saved.”

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. For a child has been born unto us, a son given to us.”

God’s greatest act of salvation is in sending us his son, Jesus, to save us from our sins, to save us from our self-centeredness and pride. “For God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” “For God sent his son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.”

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whosoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The prophet Isaiah calls out to the people of Israel, “Come, O House of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

Christmas and Epiphany are seasons of light. These center in Jesus who comes as the light and savior of the world, leading us to Lent and Good Friday, where we contemplate that he gave his very life on a cross for us and our salvation. There is no greater love, that he would lay down his life for us. Thanks be to God for sending to us, and giving for us, his only begotten son, who is indeed the light of the world!

It is interesting that much like the star of Bethlehem, we have a comet Lovejoy shining it’s brightest during this season of Epiphany. It is barely visible with the naked eye. Sometimes it is hard to see God’s light in this cold dark world as well, but light is more powerful than darkness and the Holy Spirit reveals God’s light and love to us even in our darkest moments. In God’s light do we see light and salvation which gives us peace, comfort, hope and joy. Wishing you a blessed Epiphany season of light and joy.

 

Monrad Mandsager is a retired chaplain working part time at Fountain Center.