As we kick off a new year, we usually have resolutions. Whatever your resolutions are, I pray that God will be with you. I believe that as Philippians 4 :13 says, we can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us, right? So today, as we kick off a new year, I pray that God empowers you and me to live with the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

In the first Sunday of 2022, we heard this passage from Matthew’s Gospel–the story of wise men from the East searching out and finding the Christ Child. The word ‘epiphany’ simply means ‘showing’ or ‘shining forth.’ Divine light shines forth from this Child and this light is given to everyone as gift. This light within us shows the way as he showed the Magi two thousand years ago. Actually the story of the Magi coming from the East and visiting baby Jesus is very interesting. They were people with no knowledge of the Law or the Prophets but recognized the importance of Jesus as they acted in accordance of the prophecy of Isaiah 60 which is very meaningful for us today. Please listen to this message carefully.

It says, Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Lift up your eyes and look around; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you… Your sun shall no more go down, or your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever… I am the Lord.

This is the good news for you, me, and all humanity. We are given the light of God within us and the light guides us and leads us to the fulfillment of God’s divine plan for the sake of you, me and all humankind. As we live with this light, we will be blessed. Our children will be blessed. The everlasting light is given to us. I now feel that the year 2022 will be so blessed that we all together dance day by day with our Lord Jesus Christ. This light will help us to be God’s beloved children who live with God’s love and grace. The light will help us to be the church caring for one another, our community, and reaching out to our neighbors with Jesus’ love.

What do you think? Do you feel the light of Christ in you? Do you see the great blessings for you and our church this year? I hope so. As your pastor, I see the great blessings for us in the year of 2022 thanks to the light within us.

I pray that for all of us, the year 2022 will be a true gift not only for us, but also for the world. Amen.

In Love,
Rev. Seongmoon Ahn