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| 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." In it is the following line:
This metaphor grabbed me from the first time I sang it. I came down with polio meyelitis when I was seven years old. Since then, I have had a partial disability. For someone like me who has not been able to run or dance for sixty-four years, this is an exciting vision. I can literally see myself taking Jesus' hand and waltzing through the cosmos toward the celestial city.
Of course, 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 is extinguished and the sun breaks forth in its full glory. The similarity to the Winter Rose, signaling the coming of springtime is obvious, but I don't want to mix my metaphors in this discussion.
But what is this Light to which Jesus leads us? John the Revelator, while describing his vision of the New Jerusalem says the following: 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. Corporate greed and corruption are rampant. Presidents lie to get their way. Hundreds of thousands die as wars rage on in the Middle East and in Africa. Fundamentalism rears its ugly head in the religions of Islam, Judaism, as well as Christianity. Is there hope for a world so dark?
Indeed, the Morning Star is visible in the heavens. The dawn is imminent. If we but take the hand of the Morning Star, we can dance with Him into the Light.
Prayer: God of light and glory, we recognize our affinity for 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 moving toward the light of truth, goodness, and love. Thank you for sending Jesus into this world that we might indeed take the hand of the Morning Star, and dance into the Light. Come quickly then, Lord Jesus. Amen.