Shine Your Light

I have always found the parallel between celebrating the new year and celebrating the Feast of Epiphany fascinating.  On the one hand we begin the new year with the shedding of what no longer serves us and create intentions for the coming year.  It is with this hope that our year will be filled with a change for the better bringing peace, joy, health and prosperity to all that we do.  And then there is the feast of Epiphany (the first feast after Christmas), which is all about the manifestation of light.  In Greek, the phrase to shine upon, is Epiphanai, a word that literally enlightens all of God’s creation.

In the beginning God created heaven and earth. God said, “let their be light; and their was light”  Genesis

There are many holidays, feast days and festivals that incorporate light as a central theme and light is critical to our survival in so many ways.  There is also a fascination with the light. Gazing up at the stars in the night sky, watching the sunrise or sunset and ceremonies around the full moon.   Artists and photographers capture memories using all types of lighting.  Sunlight is critical to plant growth and the production of Vitamin D.  The light sustains our being and we are created in God’s light.

Personally I am fascinated with all aspects of light.  At the beginning of a new year light is of particular importance to me.  I love to etch out some quiet time to connect with the creator deep within my heart. Allowing his light to radiate through my being.  This inner light is the sacred light that is our soul.  The light of the sacred spirit, the Holy Spirit.  I take this time to center myself in prayers of the soul and meditate on what God sees for me in the coming year.  Our soul wants what will bring us peace, joy and love nothing less.  Connecting to our light within is where we find our deepest longings, our truth and our purpose.  Setting these intentions and following the path of light takes us closer to our calling.

There’s a place where your greatest joy intersects with the world’s greatest need — that is a calling. (Fr Michaels Sermon)

Sometimes I think we sabotage ourselves by thinking we are going to create this list of resolutions for the new year.  We start out strong but somehow fall short and then gradually leave them behind.  The intentions are created in good faith but sometimes I think we expect for things to happen quickly and easily.  These resolutions are created in the mind with little or no connection to our heart.  I know for myself I have repeated this pattern of thinking many times in the past.  But what if we changed the narrative a bit?  What if we deepened our focus to include a heart connection with our creator and focus on what he sees for us and just follow the light with a deep trust in God…….mystical things might just happen!

What if we began the year in deep meditation and soul prayer asking for God’s will for us in the new year?  His will for us is always the highest good and nothing less.  His love for us is unceasing and anything less than joy, peace and love is not part of what he sees for us.  What if we asked daily for his presence to guide us, to shine a light on our path and to walk with us.  Miracles both small and great may happen.  During the season of Epiphany not only does God’s light shine upon his creation but his light shines within us and through us.

In this new year my prayer for you is to take time every day to connect to your heart for in this space is where you will find God. Sit quietly with him asking only what his will is for you.  This is what will bring you your greatest joy and peace.  Allow his love to infuse all that you do.

Happy New Year

Barbara

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The Meaning of Advent