The Morning Star

On December 12, 2004 the Trinity Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir in Venice, Florida presented their annual Christmas cantata. I sang in this production, and even sang a duet with one of the sopranos. That is something I don't often do. The name of the cantata is "The Winter Rose" by Joseph Martin and Pamela Martin. The centerpiece of the cantata is a song entitled "Dance Into the Light."

That song contains a line that asks you to grasp the hand of the Morning Star and dance toward the light. What a beautiful metaphor! It took my breath away the first time I sang it. You see, I contracted Polio at the age of seven. For one who has never been able to run or dance, this is truly an exciting vision. I can literally see myself taking Jesus' hand and waltzing through the cosmos toward the city of God.

Of course, we are aware that Jesus is that morning star. In the second epistle of Peter, the writer talks about the experience with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. We read the following: For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. II Peter1:17 - 19.

The morning star signals the coming dawn, when the darkness ends and the sun breaks forth in all its glory. But what is this Light toward which Jesus leads us? John the Revelator, while describing his vision of the New Jerusalem, answers that question with the following quote: And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Rev. 22:5.

We live in an age of darkness. Ministers, priests and even archbishops must resign in disgrace. Time and again our national leaders must apologize for racist and sexist comments. Fundamentalism rears its ugly head in the religions of Islam, Judaism, as well as Christianity. We seem to be in a never-ending state of war. Some suggest we might even use nuclear weapons in a pre-emptive strike. Is there any hope for a world so dark?

Indeed, there is. The Morning Star is now visible above the horizon. The dawn is imminent. If we but take the hand of the Morning Star, we can dance with Him out of darkness and into the Light.

Prayer: God of light and glory, we recognize our affinity to darkness. Yet we long to move into the light. Jesus offers us his hand. We reach out and take it, and we find ourselves inevitably drawn toward the light of truth, goodness, and love. Thank you for sending Jesus into this world that we might indeed grasp the hand of the Morning Star and dance toward the light. Come quickly then, Lord Jesus. Amen.