“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”                             ~ Isaiah 60”1

Most of us know the first verse of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” But did you know there were three more verses?

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.

When the blazing sun is set, and the grass with dew is wet. Then you show your little light,twinkle, twinkle all the night.

Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. 

Then the traveler in the darkthanks you for your tiny spark.

How could he see where to go if you did not twinkle so? Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.

As your bright and tiny spark lights the traveler in the dark, though I know not what you are, twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.

The author wonders what the star actually is. Scientifically, we know that stars are massive bodies of superheated gas—mostly hydrogen and helium-which generate their own light and heat by nuclear fusion at their centers. We also know there are an uncountable number of stars which fall against a dark backdrop-the vastness of space.

In this season, we talk about light a lot. We intentionally add lights to Christmas trees and the outsides of our homes and properties. We have experienced the northern lights in our part of the country more this year than ever before.

Jesus was born as the Light of the World. Emmanuel broke into the darkness of a violent time, as an innocent baby, in order to shine the Light of God in the dark places.

After Jesus’ birth, the Magi followed a great star—we call it the Star of Bethlehem– from the far east to Bethlehem in order to find the new King.

One of the most interesting things about light is that you have to have darkness in order to see the light. Think about being in a room that is totally void of light. If you were to shine a tiny, pinpoint size flashlight in the room, you would see it because it is in stark contrast to the darkness that is already there.

Light is very important. We, like Jesus, are called to be the light to the world. To shine God’s love and light in all the shadowed places.

As we prepare to begin yet another year, where can you shine your love and light?  You can’t tell me there isn’t a small space that needs your light and love! With your light, and my light, and everyone’s light, we can change what is happening in our world! We can shine bright and bring hope and joy to all who need it—one tiny flicker at a time.

Always Peace, 

Pastor Heidi