by Dr. Don Kuehle
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Once upon a time, long ago, a Father had many children; he loved them all very much. He lived on a palatial estate, in a multi-room mansion. He had his office in the Great Room; the room was lighted by a myriad of beautifully decorated candles hanging from a grand crystal chandelier.
The Father called one of his sons, Abraham, into his office. He said: “I’ve chosen you for a special purpose; you, and your descendants, will play a unique role in restoring humankind and renewing my creation.”
Then the Father took a candle from the chandelier, handed it to his son saying: “Because you have loved me above all else, because you have faith in my judgments and decisions, you will be an example to all my children; you, and your descendants, will be a light for people in every nation.”
Time passed. Abraham and his descendants took seriously their role as the “chosen ones.” In fact, they came to believe that they were not only the “chosen ones”; they were the “only ones”! They did not always love the Father, nor the rest of His children. They did not always trust the Father’s wisdom or follow His directions.
Time passed. The Father grieved over His “chosen people.” So, the Father sent his Only Son to earth: “Take the crystal chandelier, and give a candle to all my children who will accept it! The light from each candle will cause the darkness to retreat, evil will hide in fear, and even death will tremble. Every person who will love the light, believe in it, and follow where it leads, will be one of my “chosen ones”! The Son obeyed the Father.
He came to earth; the Light shone through a babe born Bethlehem. Everyone who saw the Babe, beheld the glorious light of Almighty God!
The Light-of-Heaven now was shining on earth for all to see!
The Christian Year begins with the Season of Advent; the four weeks leading up to Christmas; a time to prepare our hearts and lives for the coming of the Light. The 12 days of the Christmas Season are a time to worship the Light, and to give Him our best; it’s also a time to share our blessings with others in His name and spirit. Then comes the Season of Epiphany! Epiphany begins on Jan. 6, and lasts until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Abraham’s people believed that the Messiah, the Light of God, would come to save them only! The Father would not be concerned about the outsiders, the non-Jews. The Father had other plans!
He placed a Star in the heavens; then led the Wise Men (outsiders) to see the Star and follow it until they (outsiders) found the Messiah, the Light of the world! We celebrate Epiphany because we believe that the Father does not have favorites; He loves every one of His children equally! There are no “outsiders” in His Kingdom! No one will be left out.
Charles Wesley wrote:
“Christ, whose glory fills the skies; Christ, the true, the only Light;
Sun of Righteousness arise; Triumph o‘er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high be near; Daystar in my heart appear!”
Celebrate Epiphany! The Light-of-God has come! Darkness doesn’t have a chance! Let the Light shine in us, and through us, every day!