by Demi Prentiss

Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany – January 6 – recognizes the Incarnation as God at work before our eyes – in all of creation and in God’s good news in Christ. For me, it’s more creaturely than Christmas and brings Easter and Pentecost to life.

Jim Strathdee’s song “I Am the Light of the World” increases my joy each time I hear it.  Singing this song is the best way I can imagine walking through the next eight weeks – the season of Epiphany that takes us from the visit of the Wise Men to Ash Wednesday.

I Am the Light of the World by Jim Strathdee

CHORUS:
“I am the Light of the World,
You people come and follow me.”
If you follow and love, you'll learn the mystery
Of what you were meant to do and be.

1. When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,
The work of Christmas is begun:

2. To find the lost and lonely one,
To heal that broken soul with love,
To feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,
To feel the earth below the sky above!

3. To free the prisoner from all chains,
To make the powerful care,
To rebuild the nations with strength and goodwill,
To see God’s children everywhere!

4. To bring hope to every task you do,
To dance at a baby's new birth,
To make music in an old person's heart,
And sing to the colors of the earth!

Words & Music: Jim Strathdee, © 1969 Desert Flower Music
Written in response to a Christmas poem by Howard Thurman