Monday, December 12, 2005
A December Epiphany
[Editor’s Note: CICW research consultant Mary Hulst was pastor of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for 8 years; she is currently a doctoral student at the Institute for Communications Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is working on a book about communication and preaching. This post is cross-posted with her personal blog.]
I awoke this morning, stumbled into the kitchen, and looked out at the lake. What I saw took my breath away. The lake glowed a soft pink. Steam wafted from its surface. The home across the bay looked like a life-sized gingerbread house complete with snow-covered pine tree out front. I watched a pair of swans glide over the surface of the water, avoiding the growing patch of ice in the center of the bay.
What made this view so different this morning? It took me a minute to figure it out. The snow’s been around for days, same with the swans. But the pink, the light, what was THAT?
OH! THE SUN! Ah, yes, that large glowing heavenly object. I remember it now!
November was grey. December, thus far, has been white. When I was in Illinois, I missed The Lake, but I did not miss the Lake Effect. The clouds here are the price we pay for living near such a wondrous shoreline. Lake Michigan is not only a giant playground, but a giant evaporating mass that sends its wee particles up into the sky, shielding us West Michiganders from the warmth and light of the sun. Most folks can tolerate it during November, but let me tell you: when February and March come, the masses turn mad. I cannot tell you how many late-winter emails of lament I received from MI folks when I was living south. I, spoiled child, slept at the time in a room with Eastern exposure. I had to install heavy, light-blocking curtains so that rosy-fingered dawn would not rouse me from sleep before I was good and ready (and this was grad school, so “good and ready” varied with the day).
Not so now. Even as I type I find myself repeatedly turning toward the picture window, letting my eyes absorb the view: the snow, the water, the LIGHT.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned. . . . For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7)
Seems our God knows just what we need.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift the light of his coutenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen.
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