by Brandon Beck

Isaiah 68:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
	and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
	and thick darkness the people;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
	and his glory will appear over you.

Do you remember the camp song, “Rise and shine and give God your glory, glory”? The Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, is a day, certainly, to “rise and shine and give God your glory and glory.” It marks Jesus’ manifestation to the world, the remembrance of the magi receiving Jesus on behalf of the world. On the celebration of the Epiphany, we are called to think about what is revealed in our own lives as Jesus is revealed to the world; where have we seen the light?

The magi, understanding the darkness of the world into which Jesus was born, “returned to their country by another route” so as not to deal with Herod and his dark ways again. (Matthew 2 NIV) Even the ones on whom the Light rose directly still faced the darkness of the world and had to contend with it. Sometimes, the light is not easy to see; the darkness is all around. But, like the magi, we can find those other routes in order to see what is being revealed, to remember that revelation, and to share that revelation with others.

Sometimes, we just have to change the way we look at things in order to see the light. Take the classic “Rubin’s vase.” Can you focus on the light to see the vase? Changing the way we look at things takes practice; it is an exercise. I have to focus and re-focus to see the vase; the dark faces want to pull my attention away from the light in “Rubin’s vase.” Some people even call the image “Rubin’s faces” instead because of the powerful pull of the dark part of the image.

Sometimes, we have to be able to discern the truth in messaging to be able to see the light. Leaders, news media, other people give messaging and opinions about who is important and even who is worthy. Just as Herod gave messaging to the magi. And as they discerned through the revelation of Jesus to them that Herod’s messaging was false, we must be open to the revelation of the truth in messaging we hear. For those of you who have seen Wicked and Wicked: For Good, think about how Fiyero was able to discern the true character of Elphaba despite the propaganda against her. For those of you who haven’t seen the musical or the movies (or haven’t read the book), I encourage you to do so with your eyes open for the metaphors, allusions, and calls to social justice.

Sometimes, the epiphany is in seeing Christ in and being Christ to others as led and empowered by grace. Even if those others are people we’ve been taught to fear or even hate. Even if those others are people we just don’t like or just disagree with. The great darkness covering the world right now is full of injustice and division among people. But the light shining in the darkness reminds us that God’s love knows no boundaries and will rise and shine. We, the people of God, by striving for justice and peace, can make Jesus manifest every day. We are the light shining in the darkness.

That camp song is actually about Noah and the flood, a time of great darkness for the world. Yet the song is upbeat, joyous, and full of life. The chorus shouts a resounding, “Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory.”  It is another route to remembering that Jesus is manifest in the world. We don’t have to wait; the light is already shining in the darkness. How will you amplify the light today?