Sunday, January 5, 2025  

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Today's Scripture
Isaiah 60:1–6

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

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 their nurses’ arms.
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.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. (NRSV)

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Reflection

Tonight is Twelfth Night. It marks the conclusion of the Twelve Days of Christmas and the eve of Epiphany, a season of light breaking into the world. It’s a night wrapped in tradition, mystery, and celebration — an invitation to ponder the arrival of God’s glory, much like the magi who followed the light of the star to Bethlehem.

The prophet Isaiah speaks to a people living in exile, disoriented and dimmed by despair. Into that darkness comes a command, a promise: “Arise, shine.” The glory of the Lord will rise upon them like the dawn, and nations will stream to this light. It’s an image of restoration, hope, and a future where the presence of God transforms the world.

On Twelfth Night, the tradition of taking down Christmas decorations often begins, as homes and churches dismantle trees and tuck away crèches. But this is no ending; it’s a beginning. The light that has come into the world doesn’t fade with the season. It lingers, calling us to arise and live as glimmers of that light. All of those who journeyed to the manger, the shepherds and magi, did so not as a quest for knowledge or royal obligation. It was a response to light — a light so compelling they left their comforts, crossed borders, and faced dangers to bow in reverence and offer worship.

Twelfth Night invites us to ask: How do we carry this light forward? What does it mean to arise and shine in a world still shadowed by injustice, suffering, and doubt?

It begins, perhaps, with something as small as seeing. The shepherds and magi saw the light of a star, and Isaiah’s vision is one where everyone can see the glory of God’s rising. For us, it may mean noticing the places where God’s glory already shines — in the resilience of a friend, the kindness of a stranger, or the beauty of a winter morning. From seeing comes the call to act: to feed the hungry, to challenge systems of oppression, to share stories of hope and truth.

Twelfth Night marks the transition from Christmastide to Epiphany. And it is a moment to recommit to a life journeying a path illuminated by God’s light.

The glory of the Lord rises not only over us but also within us, urging us to arise, to shine, to be the bearers of a light that no darkness can overcome.

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Prayer
Light of Light, may your glory rise within us, illuminating the paths of justice, compassion, and hope. Guide us to shine boldly in a world longing for your love, that we may reflect your brightness to all we encounter. Amen.

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Written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer  

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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