I greet you in the name of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who invites us to walk in the light.

I was shopping at an office supply store recently, not finding what I was looking for, so I decided to rummage through the clearance section, filled with left-overs from Christmas.  I came across the most delightful item, an 8×8 framed picture that says, “BE THE LIGHT”. It actually stopped me in my tracks, as though God was speaking to me directly. The funny thing is this theme of light keeps showing up, in the lectionary readings, in my morning devotion, even in a set of books I received for Christmas about one of my favorite authors, John Muir and his early travels in the rugged, wild North America.

He shares a moment when he and several Native American guides are camped near the foot of a glacier in Alaska.  They had been cold and soaking wet for weeks, when they arose one morning to see the entire glacier front lit up as if it were on fire.  The sun rising that day had cast a glow on the ice, bringing light like they had never seen before. John a faithful believer, gave credit where it was due for such a display. To the Creator. They could have succumbed to the cold, wet, gray darkness and turned back, instead they persevered and were greatly rewarded.

We too are at such a pivotal moment in our faith and church, and if we are true to the light of Christ, then we must not give up, no matter the number of difficult days.

“Church is hard,” says, Bishop Will Willimon in his article from August 17, 2022 from the Christian Century Magazine. And we know anything worth our time, takes time. We will be rewarded if we pursue and continue to be the church, by showing up and being faithful; by loving our neighbor in all places and circumstances.  In this season of winter, as the days are very slowly gaining a little more light each day, may you as well find a little bit more of God’s light brightening up your hearts and lives. And always remember…

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. – Isaiah 9: 2

It is Christ who’s light brings hope!

Be well, be blessed, and take care.

Rev. Beth Malone