What's the first thing you do when you awaken from a scary dream? Exactly! Most of us reach for the light. Our rational minds tell us that it was nothing but a dream. It wasn't real. However, our bodies aren't convinced. We want to put our pillows over our heads and bury ourselves beneath all the blankets. But, it won't work. Our hearts are pumping and thumping. Arteries are stretched to the limit by blood racing to our feet and hands. Lungs strain to take in as much oxygen as possible. Adrenal glands work arduously to prepare us to flee or to fight unknown demons of the night. Reach for the light, now, before it's too late!

Since the beginning of time humans have sought the light around campfires, candles and torches at the approach of darkness. Light promises hope and warmth, safety and security. Deep within the human heart the onset of darkness stirs up unknown fears of forces of evil beyond our control. Darkness and light call forth contrasts of despair and joy; evil and good; weakness and strength; sin and salvation; shame and glory. Reach for the light, tonight, before it's too late!

The festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord is a celebration that has reminded Christians since the second century that the light has already reached us. The light has already come in Jesus Christ. His light has vanquished the dark nightmares in our souls.

"Arise, shine;" declares Isaiah, "for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you" (v. 1). Nightmares exist. Evil lurks around darkened corners of our lives, "but the Lord will arise upon you and his glory will appear over you" (v. 2).

Did you catch the language of both Christmas and Easter here? The Light has come. The Glory of the Lord has risen. It is no coincidence that early Christians selected this text to be read on Epiphany Day, the day on which the appearance of the Light of Christ is celebrated. The Light, born in Bethlehem, rises and shines brilliantly from the empty tomb outside Jerusalem. Epiphany, the Day of Light, connects birth, passion, and resurrection in the Church year. The Light has reached us. The Light shines in our lives tonight.

In many congregations throughout the world the celebration of this festival begins with a darkened sanctuary. Worshipers are given candles as they enter. The worship leader processes slowly towards the chancel, following an acolyte carrying one large lighted candle, which is placed in its stand in front of the congregation.

In dialogue the leader and worshipers proclaim, "Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, the Light which no darkness can overcome. Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening and the day is almost over. Let your light scatter the darkness and illumine your Church." Candles of those gathered are lighted from the larger flame. "Arise, shine; for your Light has come, and the Glory of the Lord has risen upon you" (v. 1).

In John 1:14, we hear this presented in another way: "And the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." In biblical language, the word for "dwell" can be literally translated as "build a tabernacle" or "pitch a tent." Jesus, the very Word of God, the true Light, pitched a tent in our midst and chose to live among us. The glory of the risen Christ remains with us. Arise, shine, for your Light has come!

What does this mean for us?

In today's lesson Isaiah pictures Jerusalem (Zion) as a woman prostrate on the ground at the beginning of the New Year covenant renewal celebration. Zion is bidden to rise and see what the Lord is doing and will do in her midst. Perhaps this is the Lord's word for us as well. Arise, wake up from the nightmares in the world around us. The demons in our own darkness will not prevail. With the Magi from the East, look for the brilliant star. "Lift up your eyes and see" (v. 4). Let the true Light overcome our midnight anxiety.

But, we have to look up for the Light. We can't discover the Light by hiding beneath the covers of self-protection and fear. The Magi looked up, saw the light, and followed it to a manger, the birthplace of a king. It wasn't an easy journey. They faced all the hazards of a long journey across the wilderness. They faced the evil of treacherous King Herod. Yet they persisted, in faith, proceeding onward, following wherever the light might lead them.

Following a long and bitter congregational conflict, a pastor was asked what kept her going until reconciliation and renewal finally resulted. She replied, "The Five P's of ministry: Prayer, Persistence, Prayer, Play, and Prayer." Notice that prayer was at the beginning, middle, and end of her list. Prayer connects us to the true Light. Prayer keeps the vision of the true Light in view as darkness threatens to overcome it. Prayer enables us to place one foot in front of the other in the long and difficult journey through unknown darkness. Reach for the true Light in prayer. Lift up your eyes to see the guiding light of Christ along your life journey.

Pay careful attention to what our text says happens when we journey in this light. Using vivid imagery here, Isaiah states that nations surrounding Jerusalem will see what the Lord has done and come to pay tribute and join in the celebration. "And nations will come to your light ... They all gather and come to you" (vv. 3- 4). Listen again to this important promise: "... nations will come to your light. They will gather and come to you."

You see, the Light shining in our midst is contagious. The Light that guides our journey gathers others along the way. Reach for the Light. Celebrate the Light. Share the Light with others. "Then," declares Isaiah, "you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice" (v. 5).

There appear to be several significant factors present in healthy, vital, faithful congregations. Although there are many variables, one principal feature has emerged. This is the eagerness of members to share faith stories, their journey in the Light with one another and in their neighborhoods. Members eagerly share "Where Is God In All This?" stories for themselves and their congregations. They share them as part of committee and choir devotions, in temple talks during worship, in Sunday School classes, and in parish retreats. No, they are not "fanatics." They are just like you and me, struggling against the darkness that threatens to overcome us all. More than today's typical "sideline" Christian, these folks have let God become the subject of more verbs in their vocabularies. They have taken seriously Isaiah's call to arise, and shine, for they know that their Light, our Light, has indeed come.

How did they develop this amazing power of witness? In each congregation opportunities were provided for persons to share, at whatever level they felt comfortable. And share they did. They described their own experiences of darkness and their own perceptions of seeing the light of Christ shine through. There was no gimmickry here. There were no terrific techniques for this. They simply took advantage of every possible opportunity. The Light did the rest.

The Light beckons; we do not. The Light gathers in; we do not. You and I are not contagious; but the Light is. Share the Light. Reflect it to others who walk in darkness. Reflect it to those who wake in chaos.

As Isaiah reminds us again, "Arise, shine; for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you" (v. 1). Reach for the Light. Christ, the Light of the world, shines now in and for you."