EPIPHANY - Their Eyes Were Watching God

“One discovers the light in the darkness, that is what darkness is for; but everything in our lives depends on how we bear the light. It is necessary, while in darkness, to know that there is a light somewhere, to know that in oneself, waiting to be found, there is a light. What the light reveals is danger, and what it demands is faith.”

-James Baldwin

Meditation: “Let the Light Enter” By Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

“Light! more light! the shadows deepen, And my life is ebbing low,

Throw the windows widely open: Light! more light! before I go.

“Softly let the balmy sunshine Play around my dying bed,

E’er the dimly lighted valley I with lonely feet must tread.

“Light! more light! for Death is weaving - Shadows ‘round my waning sight,

And I fain would gaze upon him Through a stream of earthly light.”

 Not for greater gifts of genius; Not for thoughts more grandly bright,

All the dying poet whispers Is a prayer for light, more light.

Heeds he not the gathered laurels, Fading slowly from his sight;

All the poet’s aspirations Centre in that prayer for light.

Gracious Saviour, when life’s day-dreams Melt and vanish from the sight,

May our dim and longing vision Then be blessed with light, more light.

Reflection:

“They seemed to be staring into the dark, but their eyes were watching God.” - Zora Neale Nurston

On January 7th, many people celebrate and remember the life of Zora Neale Hurston, who was a brilliant anthropologist and prolific author. Zora considered religion to be something of a human failure, a construct that could be a help to people in pain but more often than not called for rejection. Still, even church folks are convinced that the genius that Zora possessed could not be called anything other than divine. She was a master of words and a scholar of culture. She spoke with a scalpel tongue and studied with an obsessive curiosity. And her love for Blackness - Black people, Black diasporic history, Black unity and Black power - was voracious. 

It means a great deal to us, to honor the life of a Black woman whose life and work has touched so many, while she would eschew the label “Saint”, we encourage practitioners of this lectionary her most famous work is “Their Eyes Were Watching God”. As we commemorate the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus, we also celebrate one of the most brilliant lights of Black history and culture - a Black woman with God given sight and foresight to leave us with stories from her imagination, and written histories from her tireless work. Zora Neale Hurston was truly making and shining a light for the people when she wrote of the most basic struggle that she knew - that between humans and nature: “They seemed to be staring into the dark, but their eyes were watching God.”

Epiphany shows us that Jesus of Nazareth is the firstborn Son from that struggle. He is fully God and fully human. He is the God of light and life who takes no issue with journeying through darkness. He is the God of Heaven who has intentionally made Their dwelling on earth. 

These are the reasons we celebrate the revealing of Jesus during this season, we no longer have to struggle and strain to see God’s purposes for our lives, or wonder over God’s promises for our future. We can look through any darkness in faith that the light of the world is being revealed. 

The feast of epiphany is celebrated differently around the world.

In the United States, Epiphany is a holiday that marks an end to the Christmas season, known as Three Kings Day. It’s the remembrance of the Magi traveling from distant lands and bringing gifts to the place where they find Jesus, marked by the placement of a shining star. 

Some churches remember the dedication of baby Jesus in the temple, in Luke chapter 2. The prophets Anna and Simeon rejoice over the life of Jesus as the promised one who will change their world, upon recognizing him immediately - even though there is no indication that the two have met Mary and Joseph previously at all. 

In Ethiopia, Epiphany is a celebration of the Baptism of Jesus by his cousin John the Baptist. A three day festival marks the annual remembrance of the Holy Spirit appearing in the form of a dove over the baptism scene that takes place in the Jordan river. 

Whether you celebrate Three Kings Day, the temple dedication or the Baptism of the Lord; Epiphany is a season of remembering the first revelation of Jesus.

Each story that people of faith recall during this celebration is a story revealing exactly who Jesus is, what his purpose is, and all the promises that he has been sent to fulfill. This is why we use the phrase “Light of the world,” because during each of the celebration themes, who Jesus is comes more and more into light. 

The star guides the Magi to the place where they will find the true King. The words of Anna and Simeon describe Jesus as a Savior revealed, and a light to all the nations. Jesus is promised to cause the falling and rising of many people and rulers. In Matthew 3, the imagery of the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus at his baptism is accompanied by the Creator’s voice from heaven saying “this is my dear son.” Jesus is identified as the one to follow, the way to life. He is both the source and object of the light. He is coming into the world, he is the end of our journey following a star. His is the light that points the whole world to a place where we ought to worship. And then His light becomes the gift to all of the people who are told that we are the light of the world. 

This Jesus, Emmanuel, “God with us” is God leading us, God showing us, God revealing Themself to us, and God giving Their light to us - for the illumination of everyone.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS - Isaiah 60

Sunday: Isaiah 60.1-3 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen among you. While darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; the Lord will arise upon you, and God's glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Monday: Isaiah 60.4-5 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away,  and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

Tuesday: Isaiah 60.8-9 “Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests?” Surely the islands look to our people; in the lead are the ships of merchants from far away places, bringing generations from afar, with their silver and gold, to join the congregation in honoring the Lord God, the Holy One, for God has endowed you with splendor.

Wednesday: Isaiah 60.13-14 The glory of the east will come unto your cities, the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place glorious where my own feet will walk. And the children of everyone who oppressed you will soon come bending before your governance; and all the people who despised you shall bow themselves down at the soles of your feet; and they will call you The city of God, The Hill of Zion of the Holy One.

Thursday: Isaiah 60. 15-17 Whereas you had been forsaken and hated, so that no peoples passed through your land , The Lord will make your lands an excellency, the joy of many generations. You will feast on the milk of the nations, and you will have the richness of kings. Then you will know that I, The Lord, am your Saviour, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One. For brass I will exchange to gold, and for iron I will exchange to silver, and for wood I will bring you brass, and for stones - iron. I will surely make your governors people of peace, and your rulers will heed my righteousness.

Friday: Isaiah 60.18-19 Violence shall no more be heard in the land, desolation nor destruction within your borders; but you will call your walls of protection by the name Salvation, and your gates will be named Praise. The sun shall be no more your light by day; neither for brightness will the moon give light unto you: but your Creator will be unto your an everlasting light, and your God shall be your glory. 
Saturday: Isaiah 60.20-22 The sun will never set again, neither shall the moon withdraw itself; for The Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be ended. All the people also shall be of righteousness; they shall inherit the land for ever; the branch of God’s planting, the work of God’s hands, that They may be glorified. The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation; I, your God, will hasten it in its time.

MUSIC: Jesus is the Light - Hezekiah Walker

A throwback gospel choir jam this week. Hezekiah Walker’s well known anthem includes these lyrics: “Jesus is the light of the world! He’s the road out of the darkness the brightest way out! Jesus is the light of the world”