"KEEP IT SPIRITUAL, SAINT!" with Pastor Tim Anderson The Light Shines As daylight increases each day after the Winter Solstice, the church wisely places the season of Epiphany following the 12 Days of Christmas. Epiphany is a celebration of God's light| and revealing of himself through scripture, beginning with the story of the Wise Men, who followed the bright star to the place where Jesus was born. I have always wondered how this stellar event would send them on a nearly 2-year trek across the desert to ask, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews?" It was common to believe a special light in the sky was pointing to the birth of an important person, but how were they directed to Israel, to seek "the king of the Jews"? Once in the capital city of Jerusalem, Micah's prophesy pointed them to the small town of Bethlehem. After presenting their gifts and greetings, they were warned by an angel that King Herod viewed the young Jesus as a competitor to his reign, so they did not return to report their discovery to Herod. Realizing he had been outwitted, Herod responded by having ALL boys, two years and younger, in the region killed. I was reminded of this gruesome ending to the story when I heard a few days ago of what may be called our nation's "lost generation" of youth, resulting from the education they have missed because of the Pandemic. Now is the time to "shine the light" on this impending disastrous unintended consequence of national lockdowns. Yet this is not the time for an attitude of "Doom and Gloom". Not at all. Now is the "Season of Light". Now we celebrate God's revelation of his son Jesus, who said of himself, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." [John 8:12] Then Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount, "You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden." [Matthew 5:14] But how do we get from here to there? How will we save our "lost generation"? The key is found in the ancient story of the Wise Men. They had no idea where they were going. Yet they began the journey, following that stellar light, confident that God would lead them to their ultimate destination. We are already designated a "stellar community". Jesus promises that by following him, we "will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Together, and with the inspirational leadership of Jesus, we will again shine God's "light of life" to save our children in this new year of our Lord, 2021. "KEEP IT SPIRITUAL, SAINT!" with Pastor Tim Anderson The Light Shines As daylight increases each day after the Winter Solstice, the church wisely places the season of Epiphany following the 12 Days of Christmas. Epiphany is a celebration of God's light| and revealing of himself through scripture, beginning with the story of the Wise Men, who followed the bright star to the place where Jesus was born. I have always wondered how this stellar event would send them on a nearly 2-year trek across the desert to ask, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews?" It was common to believe a special light in the sky was pointing to the birth of an important person, but how were they directed to Israel, to seek "the king of the Jews"? Once in the capital city of Jerusalem, Micah's prophesy pointed them to the small town of Bethlehem. After presenting their gifts and greetings, they were warned by an angel that King Herod viewed the young Jesus as a competitor to his reign, so they did not return to report their discovery to Herod. Realizing he had been outwitted, Herod responded by having ALL boys, two years and younger, in the region killed. I was reminded of this gruesome ending to the story when I heard a few days ago of what may be called our nation's "lost generation" of youth, resulting from the education they have missed because of the Pandemic. Now is the time to "shine the light" on this impending disastrous unintended consequence of national lockdowns. Yet this is not the time for an attitude of "Doom and Gloom". Not at all. Now is the "Season of Light". Now we celebrate God's revelation of his son Jesus, who said of himself, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." [John 8:12] Then Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount, "You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden." [Matthew 5:14] But how do we get from here to there? How will we save our "lost generation"? The key is found in the ancient story of the Wise Men. They had no idea where they were going. Yet they began the journey, following that stellar light, confident that God would lead them to their ultimate destination. We are already designated a "stellar community". Jesus promises that by following him, we "will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Together, and with the inspirational leadership of Jesus, we will again shine God's "light of life" to save our children in this new year of our Lord, 2021.