When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart,
I will let you find me... ~ Jeremiah 29:13,14 NRSV
Seeking the Light
Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 commemorating the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child. The Magi were famous for discerning the meaning of the night sky. They were attentive to the sky and noticed something unusual and very significant. Having seen the amazing star, they started their journey, not knowing exactly where the star would lead them or how long the journey would take. Some believe they may have traveled several months over rough terrain for about 700 miles to Bethlehem. After a lengthy search and questioning their way, they reached Bethlehem and found the Christ Child. Overcome with joy, they worshiped him and presented him gifts. The Light remained in them as they returned home a different way.
Like the Magi, we too, are seekers of the light. We are on a journey, not really knowing how long or how far we must travel or what we will encounter along the way. Like the Magi, we sometimes get distracted, losing our way. Like them, we keep seeking the One who is waiting for us to light our way.
The angel of night lights a candle in my soul.
The angel of night lights a candle in my soul.
And summoned from sleep I am drawn to the One,
To the One who waits for me. For deep listening, deep waiting, deep watching now.
The angel of night lights a candle in my soul.
The angel of night lights a candle in my soul.
For deep listening, deep waiting, deep watching now
With the One who waits for me.
Epiphany Blessing
May you listen to your soul-stirring urging you to leave the home of your satisfactions, to risk new discoveries by traveling into the “land of don’t know.”
May you allow yourself to be guided by the Star of Grace, with the assurance of an abiding faith, as you seek the path of spiritual growth.
May you be willing to journey with vulnerability in the land of darkness and obscurity when the way fills with uncertainty.
May you have the gift of discerning what draws you forward, and what leads you away, in seeking the One Love.
May you find inspiration, courage, and hope through your kinship with others who also journey by faith on the road of life.
May you have openness of mind and heart so that you recognize the divine Star in those whose demeanor conceals this light-filled love.
May you daily bring the gift of your truest self and offer this to the Revealer of Love, who knows the bounty of your virtues.
May you be filled with gratitude each time you discover the One Love in some aspect of your life.
May the joy that the Wise Travelers expressed upon discovering the Christ Child also dance within your heart. ~Joyce Rupp, Prayer Seeds
Emanating the Light
Let us continue on the journey in 2021 emanating light and hope to others on the journey as written so eloquently by Maya Angelou as a birthday gift to Oprah Winfrey.
CONTINUE
My wish for you
Is that you continue
Continue
To be who and how you are
To astonish a mean world
With your acts of kindness
Continue
To allow humor to lighten the burden
of your tender heart
Continue
In a society dark with cruelty
To let the people hear the grandeur
Of God in the peals of your laughter
Continue
To let your eloquence
Elevate the people to heights
They had only imagined
Continue
To remind the people that
Each is as good as the other
And that no one is beneath
Nor above you
Continue
To remember your own young years
And look with favor upon the lost
And the least and the lonely
Continue
To put the mantle of your protection
Around the bodies of
The young and defenseless
Continue
To take the hand of the despised
And diseased and walk proudly with them
In the high street
Some might see you and
Be encouraged to do likewise
Continue
To plant a public kiss of concern
On the cheek of the sick
And the aged and infirm
And count that as a
Natural action to be expected
Continue
To let gratitude be the pillow
Upon which you kneel to
Say your nightly prayer
And let faith be the bridge
You build to overcome evil
And welcome good
Continue
To ignore no vision
Which comes to enlarge your range
And increase your spirit
Continue
To dare to love deeply
And risk everything
For the good thing
Continue
To float
Happily in the sea of infinite substance
Which set aside riches for you
Before you had a name
Continue
And by doing so
You and your work
Will be able to continue
Eternally.
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