Sermon: "The Light Shines"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

We have just read a familiar passage … the conclusion of a familiar story. The story is that of the birth of Jesus, whom we call "Christ." And the passage involves the wise men. Those wise men found their way to Bethlehem, guided by a star. They were convinced that there was something special about that star - something of universal significance, something to which even the heavens testified. Those men came from far away - from a distant country. And, following the star, they found the manger and worshiped the Christ child.

After that encounter, the wise men returned to their homeland, carrying the significance of this event with them. They shared the message of universal proportion and eternal consequence - the message that the Savior had been born … the Messiah, not only for Israel, but for the whole world.

Thus, this is the story of the wise men and their encounter with the Christ, the Lord of the world. And the symbol of this great story is light … the light of a star. Indeed, not only does light shine from the star but also from Jesus himself, "the light of the world." As opposed to these symbols of light, we read of Herod, who represents darkness.

Therefore, even at the birth of Jesus, the conflict between light and darkness is engaged. This conflict will rage for all the life of Jesus. And, finally at his death, when darkness seems to triumph, light reigns triumphant. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it"(Jn 1:5).

The symbol of light certainly is rich with meaning. From the Gospel story, two characteristics of light shine forth. First, light represents good, and it indicates truth. Goodness and truthfulness surely associate themselves with light. And, secondly, light shows the way. Light serves as a means of guidance, without which people are lost.

As representing goodness and truthfulness, light stands in contrast to the dark. For instance, a familiar phrase for us is "the dark night of the soul." And most of us surely know what that means in our own lives! It represents the opposite of light - the contrast to goodness and truthfulness. "The dark night of the soul" involves sin and wickedness and discontent. Surely that is darkness.

There is a town in northern Norway that knows of such darkness. It seems a rather ordinary place, except that from November 25 until January 21, the sun never rises above the horizon. A magazine article described the effects of such darkness on the town's citizens in these terms: "The mentally unstable may slip over the edge into a temporary state of profound mental disturbance. Even those who are emotionally healthy the rest of the year may become tense, fearful, and preoccupied with thoughts of suicide"(quoted in Augsburg Sermons, B). Truly, that description indicates a "dark night of the soul" - a long one!

When we say that we "bring things to light," we refer to the truth that is involved in some situation. Goodness and rightness are indicated, and evil and falsehood are dispelled. For instance, in that Norwegian town, there is great celebration on January 21. Schools are closed. The population welcomes the sun with shouts of "There she is; she's back!" And so, she comes - the sun - and drives away the darkness.

Light represents the good and the true, at least as we understand them. Light is opposed by darkness. However, interestingly enough, in that conflict, the light will always win at some level. Light may not overwhelm the darkness - but as the two encounter one another, the light will always shine forth, as will goodness and truth.

A second characteristic of light is that it shows the way. It is an indispensable means of guidance. I think of those guides for boatmen on the coast from which I come - the lighthouses. Bright beacons of light on top of tall towers help sailors steer a safe course. Such beacons were more important in times before modern technology, but their significance continues even today. Lighthouses surely are examples of light that show the way.

I think also of William Gordon, a former Bishop of Alaska, and of a story that he used to tell. Bishop Gordon earned his airplane license, and he typically flew a plane to remote mission outposts. In some cases, his trip took most of the day and required all the fuel his plane would hold. On one particular day, Bishop Gordon left his home airport a bit late on a trip to his most distant mission congregation. During the journey, he encountered a blizzard that slowed his airspeed and covered his landmarks. By the time he reached the village, the sun had set. He was nearly out of fuel as he flew over the village, and he realized that he could not find the primitive airstrip. The snow and the darkness had concealed it.

After another frantic pass over the village, Bishop Gordon saw several flames of light. The villagers - who realized the problem - were carrying torches to the airstrip. There they stood on either side of the runway to mark the Bishop's path, to guide his way with their torches of light. And, according to Bishop Gordon, that was as easy a landing as he ever had - and, certainly, one of the most welcomed. He only needed the light to show him the way.

On this Day of Epiphany, what do we say about all of this? In particular, on this occasion of baptism and confirmation - on this Day of Epiphany - what do we say? From the wise men, we know that our light is Jesus Christ. That Light is good, and in it is the truth of our lives. Darkness is ever-present, but the Light which is Christ will prevail in goodness and in truth. Also, this Light shows us the way. Without the Light of Christ, we are lost. In that circumstance, we are lost; we are unable to know the way; our lonely plight seems hopeless. But with Christ, we do know the way; and with his Light, all of our landings in the darkness can be successful.

There is a society about which I know very little - the Christopher Society. But, that group has a marvelous motto: "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness." Now, I do know that the name "Christopher" means "Christ bearer." And all of us who identify ourselves as "Christians" are called to be bearers of Christ in what we say and do. Thus, in this world of darkness, these are good words to remember: "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."

Then, as we hold forth the light of Christ - in what we say and do and in who we are - we may fulfill these words of our Lord: "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (Matt 5:16).

Copyright © 2002 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee