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Isaiah 60:1-6 Happy New Year! How did you ring in 2002? Did you attend a gala dance at one of Tucson's ballrooms? Did you gather with family or friends for a party? Or, did you spend it quietly at home? One of my friends decided that he wanted to spend New Year's Eve in Times Square. So, he and his wife flew to New York where they joined hundreds of thousands of people to ring in the New Year. When we celebrate the New Year, we often think of new beginnings. Our well-intentioned resolutions point toward a belief that things are going to be different. Carrying out our resolutions sometimes requires new understandings about life. On the first Sunday of the New Year, we celebrate Epiphany Sunday. In the church tradition, the Epiphany Season focuses on the revelation of Jesus' divinity to the world. The meaning of "epiphany" has its roots in the Greek language. The first part of the word, "epi," means "upon." The second part, "phainein," means "to show." By combining these two meanings, "to show upon," we are reminded that God showed his grace and forgiveness through Christ. Sometimes we say that we have an epiphany in our lives. To us, it's a lot like a light bulb coming on over our heads. We are able to see something in an entirely new way. Things become clarified for us. In the film When Harry's eyes are opened and he realizes what he's about to give up. His epiphany is so strong that he runs for blocks through New York to reach the New Year's party where he can find Sally. A good epiphany is like that - it can motivate us to new levels of energy, passion, and commitment. Today's scripture passage speaks to us about new beginnings. The theme of the passage is: "the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it." In the middle of a world shrouded in gloom the day of God's epiphany dawns with all the splendor of a Tucson sunrise. We are flooded with the radiance of the rising sun. And Isaiah invites us to shine in the New Year. Isaiah reminds us that:
In the first verse of the passage, Isaiah describes Israel as a dejected woman, lying face down on the ground. As the sun leaps above the horizon in the east, Isaiah calls to her, "Arise, shine; for your light has come." Isaiah is telling us that God can bring the light, but it's up to us to rise from our dejection and let God's radiance stream into us. Isaiah says that darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the people. And it often feels that way to us, doesn't it. After the events of last fall, the ongoing war in Afghanistan, the problems with the economy - we are living in a time that often feels gloomy. It's a darkness that can be felt in our lives. In addition to the gloomy world events, many of us face darkness at a personal level. We may struggle with a relationship that isn't working. We may feel the darkness of illness in our lives. Perhaps we sense darkness at school, or in our jobs. And day after day the light seems farther away. But Isaiah reminds us that God's light has come to us. And we celebrate God's radiant light on this Epiphany Sunday. If you read the gloomy words in the newspaper this morning, you'll notice that they're in stark contrast to the joyful songs we've sung this morning. Our faith faces a tragic world, but we face it with the utmost confidence in God. Isaiah also reminds us to:
The city of Jerusalem lies on the central ridge of Israel. From the eastern side, residents could see the caravans streaming in from distant villages. To the west, ships on the Mediterranean could be seen sailing in like flocks of pigeons. The city was well-positioned to look around and get a sense of the world. Isaiah promised that, as the inhabitants gazed out on the world, they would look and be radiant. Why, because they would see the bounty of the sea and the riches of the nation. It's an important reminder for us today. Have you ever noticed, as you're lying face down in the dust of a troubled life, how important it is to get back up on your feet and to look around? How important it is to get a sense of perspective on where you are in life? So, let's take a look around us this morning. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. We all came to church this morning without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death. That means that we are more blessed than three billion people in the world. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of being in prison, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world. If your parents are still alive and still married, you are very rare, even in the United States. If you can hold someone's hand, hug them, or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer healing touch. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. If you can read, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all. And so, as we look around us at the state of our world, we have our eyes opened. The radiant light of God's presence streams into our lives and we remember just how blessed we really are! But, of course, we shouldn't count our blessings at the expense of others. After all, Isaiah reminds us that God's light has come for all the people of the world. And, while we are grateful for our many blessings, we are also called to share them with others. Finally, Isaiah reminds us to:
In the last verse of today's reading, we see the caravans of camels streaming toward Jerusalem. These lumbering dromedaries are bringing gold, incense, and other gifts from Midian and Sheba. Why does Isaiah mention these caravans? These were supplies for the temple of Jerusalem. In Isaiah's eyes, Jerusalem was the capital of worship for all humankind. The camel caravans were bringing the supplies to proclaim the praise of the Lord. The supplies were necessary to find acceptance at God's altar. Today, as daughters and sons of God's New Covenant, we recognize that worship can take place anywhere, anytime. But we shouldn't forget Isaiah's reminder to praise God for all of the goodness in our lives. Why do we praise and thank God? Is it out of fear? Is it because God needs our praise? Do you remember the creation story? God created us out of a deep sense of longing. God wants to be in relationship with us. And giving thanks is an important part of relationships. Have you ever gone out of your way to purchase a special gift for someone who means a lot to you? You listened very carefully to them about what they like. You spent time finding the store that carried something that would mean something special. You look forward to giving this special gift, selected with just one person in mind. Now imagine that the gift is opened and greeted with a lukewarm response and a halfhearted thank you. How would you feel? And how would the lack of recognition affect your relationship? Or, take it a step further. What if the person opened the gift and refused to accept it, or cast it aside? Everyday of our lives, God blesses us with gifts that are designed with us in mind. We receive good food and clothes and warm beds. People appear in our lives at just the right time with just what we need. Opportunities pop up for us to grow and learn. God has selected these gifts with great care and a sense of delight that we will be blessed. And too often we shrug our shoulders and forget to say thank you. That's what praise is all about. That's why we select songs for this service that focus on God's goodness in our lives. We want to acknowledge this very special relationship with God. A God who fully knows us sends us gifts everyday that are beyond our imaginings.
And so, we begin the New Year full of hope for bright beginnings. On this day of Epiphany, Isaiah reminds us to get up out of the dirt and mud. Stand tall and feel the bright radiance of God's presence streaming into your life. Remember that God's glory has come for all humankind. While we are truly blessed, let us find renewed passion to share our blessings with those who find themselves in darkness. And, let's not forget to say thank you. In a few moments, as we celebrate Communion, we'll once again say thanks for the best gift of all. The gift of God's presence within us, every moment of every day.
Amen. |