Tidbits from Toni:

    Epiphany, the season between Christmas and Lent, is the dark wintry months of the year in the northern hemisphere when the light of the sun is most dim and the days are short but growing longer.  This season is the time in the church calendar to think about spreading the bright news of Christ's birth to all the world.  The Magi were the first to recognize the light of Christ in the star that led them to the place where Jesus lay.  They saw the star and traveled to worship him.  People from all over the world have been touched by the light of our Savior.  The Light of the World, Jesus, is the gift of divine presence (God with us - Emmanuel), forgiveness from sin, and everlasting life.

    The light of Christ speaks through the scriptures.  "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet." Psalm 119:105.  The story of our salvation from the creation of the world, the events that led up to the holy birth told in the scripture narratives of the Hebrew Bible; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; and the promise of Jesus to be with us always as well as the promise to come again in victory are in our Bibles.  Each time we read the gospel accounts we review the story of our salvation.

    The light of Christ spreads through people.  Many men and women have heeded the call of Jesus to "make disciples of all nations" by working as missionaries.  Other men and women have studied to be leaders in the church as pastors and teachers.  But even more individuals over the span of time from the creation to the present have worked as ordinary people with daily tasks and jobs who have witnessed to their faith and brought the Word of God to others.  People (like you) who share their time and talent for the work of ministry are responding to the light of Christ by bowing before Him with service to God's people, praise and thanksgiving.