Artificial Light
Artificial Light.We take it for granted.
Imagine no artificial light.
Imagine before 1882. In that year the first commercial power station, located on Pearl Street in lower Manhattan, went into operation providing light and power to customers in a one square mile area. This is when the electric age began.
(Turn out all lights)
Imagine no artificial light.
Imagine before 1783.In that year Ami Argand, a Swiss chemist is credited with first developing the principal of using an oil lamp with a hollow circular wick surrounded by a glass chimney and oil lights became popular.
(Extinguish all our oil candles)
Imagine no artificial light.
Imagine before 40 BC.In that year it is believed that the first wax candles were made in China. They used rolled rice paper for the wick.
(Extinguish all candles)
Imagine no artificial light.
Light is so important.So much so that it is the first thing God created. Let’s listen to the creation of light. Read Genesis 1: 1 – 5. That really shows us how essential light is in the world. Nothing was created without it or before it. Light is important to God.
As humans naturally do, we tend to overdo a good thing.Possibly today we have so much artificial light now it is hard for many to see the real light. We stare at the lights on our computers, our cell phones, our TV, our video games, the light that shines on our newspapers and magazines and our streets as we drive. Are we possibly getting too much artificial light and not enough natural light?
We are in the season of Light.The season of Epiphany when the true natural light of God’s love shown through Baby Jesus to the whole world – to all people. God didn’t want people being in the darkness of sin any longer. He sent his Son – the light – to defeat the darkness in people’s lives as we read in the first lesson in Isaiah:
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy”
Light brings joy and drives out fear. We hear this in the first sentence the Psalm chosen for today which is Psalm 27. This is a Psalm of Confidence.
It says: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
This is a good one to memorize so that when we are in times of fear we can recall it to mind.It will help drive that fear away. Let’s try to memorize it now. Repeat after me:
The Lord is my light and my salvation
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life
of who shall I be afraid?
Do any of you sleep with a light on or the TV on?I must admit that I do because I am somewhat afraid of the dark. I want to see if someone comes into my bedroom and not have to wonder. The light does drive out my fear of the unknown. I have also used this first verse of the Psalm as a mantra when I’ve been in fearful situation. It does help.
So, if the Lord is my light, my salvation, the stronghold of my life, I am in good – no great – hands.We need to remember this personally and as God’s people here at First Trinity. We can do great things for God. We can do everything and anything for God. Bold action is what we are called to because we have the true natural light. Whether we succeed or fail, God is our stronghold.
We know that we are called to do this because of today’s Gospel lesson where we see Jesus choosing his disciples, his followers, who were just ordinary people like us.He called them by the lakeshore, and he calls us every day to bring people out of darkness and too much artificial light into the true natural light of Jesus’ love for them.
God’s light – the natural light of the world – is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ born as a baby to forgive our sins and give us eternal life. We need to keep that in the forefront of our lives.
Artificial light is good.
The artificial lights in our sanctuary to read his Word and see the hymns of praises that we sing to God is good.
(Lights are turned back on.)
Artificial light is good.
The artificial light in oil and wax candles reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world and the light that drives out our fears.
(All candles are lit.)
Artificial light is good as long as we don’t overuse it and let it blind us to the true light.. We need to use the artificial light to point to the true light of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
