Wednesday Wonder

Sometimes the snow can look so nice. These days I tend to be up before the sun. The last couple of mornings the moon has still been up and it is full, or almost full, so shining quite brightly.

It was almost as bright as midday the last couple of mornings. The reflection off the snow magnified the amount of light. It had an ethereal quality, but was bright enough to make me check and see if I had left a light on in the room.

This had me thinking about the creation story in Genesis. “And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights – the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night – and the stars.” (Gen. 1:14-16)

This time of year, we often see the ‘greater and lesser lights’ closer together, or at the same time. And, as I have noticed recently, the difference between them isn’t always as noticeable as we might expect.

The days have been duller and the nights seem to be a bit brighter. But, in both cases, we have light. Sometimes it is the direct light of the sun which guides us. At other times it is the reflected light of the moon.

We receive direct light in the form of the light of Christ through our faith. We, in turn, reflect that light to others. We are, if you will, the moon to Christ’s sun. He is referred to as the Son, which becomes a beautiful play on words.

The light of the moon wanes throughout each month as it goes from full through its phases until it is full again. When less is visible less light is reflected. The same feels true of the sun on cloudy days. And yet, the sun does not go through phases like the moon, we always receive its full force.

It is the clouds which sometimes obscure the sun. We know it is out, but cannot see it for the clouds. How like life? At times we know Christ is walking with us. At other times, we find his presence harder to feel and know.

When we reflect our Christ light to another, we offer unexpected brightness like the moon on snow, and we help lift the clouds that obscure the direct light of Christ. What an amazing opportunity we have. We can share our light and make a difference. All the time!

The sun is shining brightly in through my office windows as I write this morning. The moon reflecting light on the snow inspired my rising and my morning. My Christ light has been recharged. I am ready to reflect that light for the rest of the day. How about you?