Almost all of us have seen the popular television program, "Mission Impossible." For many years the MI Task Force took on what seemed like an incredible assignment, and in less than an hour, they did the impossible! How wonderful it would be if carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ in this world were as easy.

The challenge to us in this season of Epiphany is the ongoing proclamation that the "light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5)." But in more ways than one, this is often the darkest time of the year. The familiar Christmas carols have been sung and now fade into pleasant memory. The family once gathered is now dispersed. The Christmas candle is now extinguished, and the earth once more spins in the shadows of bombs blasting, depression, drugs, bro…