Isaiah could be talking about our times. He describes an earth and its people shrouded in darkness and heaviness of spirit. But he looks to the future and sees brilliant and radiant light breaking through the gloom and illuminating all of creation. All the nations of the earth will stream towards Zion and gather in love and reverence for God. All of the ancient hatreds and boundaries will be forgotten and we will enjoy a new era of peace and happiness. Does this sound just like wishful thinking? Not to those whose hearts yearn for God.

The Epiphany echoes the beautiful vision of Isaiah. The first to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ were three men from a distant land — most likely Zoroastrian priests. They had patiently read holy books and watched the stars for signs of a movement in the heavens. Their yearning and searching led them on a long and arduous journey to worship the infant Christ. They simply followed the light and did not worry about where it led or how it was labelled. God is for all; no person or group owns or controls access to God. This is good advice for us: in a confusing and chaotic age, follow the light. The light is that which brings love, peace, hope, reconciliation, generosity, tolerance, and kindness. When we practise and teach these qualities we too have become bearers of the light piercing the gloom of fear and sin. God's light shines on all.