Lightscapes

     Last weekend our family went to see Lightscapes at Van Cortland Manor in Croton.  Here we are blinded by the flash.  In the picture you can see our familiar faces, my brother, John and his two girls, and Pat’s mom, Florence.  My sister-in-law, Ellen, took this picture.
     Lightscapes is a magical nighttime light display of a springtime garden.  There are amazing flowers and friendly woodland creatures all constructed of recycled materials and dazzling lights as far as the eye can see. If you are interested in going, there are two more weekends left, but shows do sell out.  Everyone in our group enjoyed it and our ages ranged from 12 to almost 80.

     At Lightscapes, there are about 6,500 fantastic flowers, hundreds of butterflies, giant lady bugs and dragon flies, and a huge green praying mantis.

   Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See the darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the people, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn ~Isaiah 60:1-3

     God promised through the prophet Isaiah that there was going to be a light to repel the darkness.  For five hundred years that promise lived in the hearts and dreams of the people who looked for the light.

     And then the light appeared.  The glory of the Lord shone around a group of shepherds keeping watch at night.  The light brought them good news of great joy.  Angels sang a heavenly chorus of praise for a baby lying in a manger.
     The light appeared as a star guiding the magi from the East so that they could worship and bring gifts to the small child who was to be King.
     The light appeared in the hearts and minds of those who sought out a voice crying in the wilderness.  It appeared to a woman who was not too busy to stop for a drink of life giving water with a tired stranger at a well.  The light appeared to lepers and blind men.  The light appeared to sinners and the lame.  The light appeared to those locked in the darkness of a prison.  It appeared to those looking for answers and to those who had lost their way.  It appeared to those who were at the end of all reason.  It appeared to those who had nothing left to lose, and eternity to gain.  It appeared to a thief on a cross.

     The gospel, the good news, glowed in the darkness for all to see and receive with joy.  The star that guided the magi to Jesus has long ago faded from view, but the light remains.  We no longer have a faint hope of redemption.  We have Jesus.  We do not have to wonder.  We have the light of certainty.
     The gospel of Jesus glows in the dark.  The darkness cannot overcome it.  God kept the promise He delivered through Isaiah.  We will never be left alone and afraid.  After all, we have a strong tower to run into and be safe.    We can trust in Jesus in all of the dark places our life’s journey will take us because when God is your glory you walk in everlasting light.

    The gospel glows in the dark.
     In a world filled with darkness, we are called to glow with His light. The light of Jesus shines through those who love Him for all to see. His light shines through us and reveals His presence.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  ~Matthew 5:14-16 

     How do you glow in the dark?